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Read 1 Peter 5

To the Elders and the Flock

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

12 With the help of Silas,[b] whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Go Deeper

With the close of this letter, Peter has one last chance to sum up what he really wants these believers to hear. What stands out specifically is the fact that Peter acknowledges that we have a very real enemy who is actively “seeking someone to devour” (v. 8). More often than not, it is easy to forget that we even have an enemy, let alone that spiritual warfare exists. Which is exactly what our enemy wants! Don’t you think that if he can convince us that he does not exist, then we are more likely to fall prey to his schemes? If you are playing a game, you are more likely to win if you know who your opponent is and what they are like. Therefore, let’s make it a priority to remind ourselves of our enemy and get to know him.

So how do we stand against the enemy? Peter tells us to be sober-minded and alert, which means to watch for him and anticipate how he might ensnare you. He then goes on to say that we should resist him, stand firm in our faith, and know that we are not alone in our suffering. There is a daily war for the battle of our souls. It is going to take more than just acknowledging that the devil exists. We must also be ready for battle. We can do this through diving into God’s Word, consistent prayer, and actively confessing to other believers our sin so that it no longer has hold on our life. 

While recognizing that we are in a battle can lead to feelings of anxiety and despair, the closing verse of this chapter brings absolute comfort to our souls. Peter closes by saying “peace to all you who are in Christ” (v. 14). This is what sets us apart as believers: peace. In the midst of trials and sufferings, we have access to unshakeable and undeniable peace. Jehovah Shalom is a name of God that tells us the Lord is peace. It is His nature! We cannot resist the enemy by ourselves. Thankfully, the Lord of all creation is on our side, equipping us to resist and stand firm, and filling our hearts with peace. Then, after we have “suffered for a little while”, God Himself will restore us (v. 10). Let’s praise God today for His future plan to restore us and His ever-present help in the interim. 

Questions

  1. When was the last time you considered that you have an enemy who is out to get you? How does remembering this change how you live daily?
  2. If the devil were to tempt you to sin today, how do you think he would do it? This question helps us to be on guard for areas in which we are more susceptible to sin. 
  3. The Bible often talks about suffering being for our good. In what ways do you feel like the Lord may be using your current situation for your good?

Keep Digging

Looking for more biblical references on resisting the enemy? Check out this article from GotQuestions.org!

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6 thoughts on “1 Peter 5”

  1. I’m remembering as I read Peter’s instructions to shepherding God’s people in the midst of suffering, that Peter had a front row view of Christ’s brutal death, during which time he denied even knowing Christ. Yet he experienced radical forgiveness that enabled him to stand firm in his faith even though it would eventually lead to his martyrdom. His words carry weight, especially the verbs he chose to describe characteristics of good leaders in the body:
    CARE WATCH SERVE STAND REMEMBER ENCOURAGE ASSURE
    As we encounter suffering, let’s remember to come close to our Savior who gives us the courage to endure. If others are suffering let’s join them and remember these 7 verbs as a blueprint for our actions that display our faith.

  2. Everyday is a battle. The enemy is constantly bombarding us with this world’s influence. Putting on God’s word by reading, listening, seeing, and discussing it is the way to keeping God in the forefront of all that we say and do. I am so preaching to myself because first thing this morning I fought a battle with ants. Those little creatures in my kitchen just set me off. What a tiny thing to steal your joy. So I will put on my armor and think on these things Philippians 4:8 (ESV)8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
    God thank You for Your Word. Thank You for helping me see and taste what You have done!!! I will worship You. I will turn and think on these true, honorable, just, pure, lovely,commenable things and praise You for them. God I know there is always always a positive, thank You for helping me see it. In Jesus name amen

  3. Andy Stanley says he prays daily, “Help me God, to see what you see. Because if we can see God in it, we can have the faith to go through it.” As James says in 1:3 “ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
    Peter of all disciples knows too well the testing of faith, and the consequences of failing those tests. Greg Laurie stated ,” A faith that can’t be tested, can’t be trusted.” Meaning we have to really believe and trust what we say we believe…or a rooster crowing will haunt you forever.
    Peter, an expert at suffering at the hands of denial, should be the example of whom we find in our life groups to seek and counsel with. The people that have suffered and maintained their faith thru trials, not people who use other’s suffering to blame God for allowing evil in this world.
    Faith Full, Andy Stanley session 6

  4. I’m diving right into this one! I smarted off this past week “if being busy is added as #11, well that’s it. I win the award for the most times a commandment can be broken.” So yesterday was a giant shot at not only my heart but also my pride. When I read “Be alert and of a sober mind” I realize now that it doesn’t mean “don’t be drunk or under the influence” but in my situation it means you can’t be alert if you are to busy with everything else and you can’t be sober if you are consumed by stress. Right now this is me. No radical change yet, but a definite cannonball into a part of my life I am clearly messing up. “Cast all you anxieties on HIM because he cares for you” 1st Peter 5:7 I will be carrying this in my heart regularly for awhile.
    Biggest takeaway “If the Devil can’t make you sin, he will make you busy.”

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