Resisting the Devil

1 Peter 5:6-10

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” - 1 Peter 5:8–9

WHEN LEADERS FACE THE LION

Every spiritual leader who ever made a difference for God has faced the direct, destructive opposition of the devil. The enemy knows that if he can cripple the shepherd, he can scatter the sheep. From Genesis to Revelation, Satan has strategically targeted God’s leaders.

• Moses was attacked by discouragement and disobedient people. When Pharaoh hardened his heart and Israel murmured, Moses cried out in frustration, “Wherefore hast Thou afflicted Thy servant?” (Numbers 11:11). Satan’s tactic was to make God’s man feel alone and overwhelmed so he would quit before reaching Canaan.

• David was attacked through temptation and moral compromise. In 1 Chronicles 21:1 we read, “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.” Later, through pride and lust, David fell into sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). Satan’s weapon was pride—convincing David to rely on human strength instead of divine sufficiency.

• Job was attacked through affliction and loss. Satan said to God, “Touch all that he hath, and he will curse Thee to Thy face” (Job 1:11). Job’s possessions, family, and health were stripped away—but his faith remained. Satan’s goal was to turn a worshiper into a whiner, but Job’s lips glorified God instead.

• Joshua the High Priest was attacked through accusation. In Zechariah 3:1 we read, “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” The devil’s goal was to disqualify the spiritual leader through guilt and shame.

• Daniel was attacked through deception and legislation. When his enemies couldn’t find fault in his integrity, they manipulated the law to destroy him. Daniel 6:4–5 records, “They could find none occasion nor fault… then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Satan tried to silence Daniel’s prayers through fear—but Daniel opened his windows toward Jerusalem and prayed as before.

• Paul was attacked through distraction and opposition. In Acts 16 and 17, the enemy stirred mobs, imprisonments, and false accusations against him. In 2 Corinthians 12:7 Paul wrote, “There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.” Satan’s scheme was to wear Paul down physically and emotionally, but God’s grace sustained him—“My grace is sufficient for thee.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

• Even Jesus Christ was attacked through temptation and betrayal. Matthew 4 records that Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, and later, Luke 22:3 says, “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot.” The enemy sought to derail the mission of redemption, but Jesus triumphed through the Word and obedience to the Father.

  
  

Every one of these leaders faced satanic oppression, yet each one found victory by standing firm in faith. As Wiersbe wisely said, “When God’s work is being done in God’s way, it will never lack God’s supply—but it will always have Satan’s opposition.”

Spiritual leadership is not a playground—it is a battleground. The same roaring lion that sought Moses, David, Daniel, and Paul still seeks to devour today’s pastors and ministry leaders. That’s why 1 Peter 5 gives us a clear strategy for spiritual victory. He writes to believers under persecution, reminding them that suffering is not strange—it’s part of the spiritual conflict. He outlines the posture, practice, and power necessary to withstand the devil’s attacks.

FOUR STEPS FOR LEADERS TO RESIST THE DEVIL

I. THE POSTURE OF HUMILITY

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” (v.6)

Pride is the devil’s native language and the leader’s most dangerous trap. Satan fell because of pride (Isaiah 14:12–15), and he still whispers it into every heart that leads others.

Humility places us under God’s covering; pride exposes us to Satan’s fire.

Begin each day surrendered to God’s authority—say aloud, “Lord, this ministry belongs to You, not to me.” In 1 Peter 5:5 he says, “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (v.5) Andrew Murray wrote, “Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.”

The leader who kneels before God can stand before any devil.

II. THE PRACTICE OF DEPENDENCE

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” (v.7)

The devil delights in overburdened leaders. He loves to fill your heart with anxiety so your hands can’t hold a sword.

The Greek word epiripsantes means “to throw once and for all.” God never called a leader to carry the load alone. 

Every time a burden enters your mind, cast it before God’s throne. Prayer must be the leader’s first reaction, not the last resort. Paul says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Corrie ten Boom said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.” The more you depend on God, the less the devil can disturb your peace.

III. THE PERSEVERANCE OF WATCHFULNESS

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (v.8)

The command “be sober” means to have clear spiritual focus, while “be vigilant” means to stay awake. Satan doesn’t take sabbaticals. He attacks when leaders are tired, isolated, or careless.

The word adversary (antidikos) is a legal term meaning “one who brings a charge in court.” Satan constantly accuses the brethren before God (Revelation 12:10).

Guard your mind, your marriage, and your ministry boundaries. Most leaders don’t fall in a moment—they drift through neglect. Charles Spurgeon warned, “Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.” The leader who lets down his guard soon finds the enemy within his gates.

IV. THE POWER OF RESISTANCE

“Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (v.9)

The word resist (anthistēmi) means “to stand against, to set oneself in opposition.” Satan cannot be reasoned with—he must be resisted.

James 4:7 adds the divine sequence: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Faith is the shield that quenches every fiery dart (Ephesians 6:16). When the enemy whispers lies, leaders must declare truth.

Speak Scripture aloud when you feel oppressed or attacked. Jesus Himself defeated Satan in the wilderness by quoting Scripture: “It is written.” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10)

A.W. Tozer wrote, “The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection.” The devil cannot defeat a leader who stands firm in the faith, steadfast in the Word, and secure in his calling.

V. THE PROMISE OF RESTORATION

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (v.10)

The roar of the lion is loud, but the grace of God is louder. Every attack that Satan launches has an expiration date. The same God who allows the battle will bring the blessing.

Satan wants to devour your confidence, but God desires to develop your character.

When you bow low in humility, lean hard in dependence, stay sharp in vigilance, and stand firm in faith—you will experience divine restoration, strength, and peace.

“Resist the devil—and rise renewed in divine strength.”