Read 1 PETER 5:6–9

Kanika grew up in a devout Hindu home in Delhi, India. When she became a Christian at the age of 20, her daily life became filled with struggles: Kanika wanted to attend a Christian church, but her parents insisted that she join the family at the Hindu temple. When they found her Bible and prayer journal, they threw them out. She wants to marry a fellow believer, but her parents plan to arrange a marriage with another Hindu in their caste.

Like millions of Christians around the world, Kanika faces constant decisions about how to follow Jesus in a society and home that oppose her faith. Though not physically oppressed, the struggle of resisting her parents and friends day after day can be exhausting, and sometimes she thinks it would be easier to just give in.

Peter’s first readers of this letter knew exactly what Kanika is experiencing, and these verses were written to renew their focus on God and refresh their spirits for the ongoing spiritual battle. Humility in our relationships, as we’ve explored throughout this book of 1 Peter, ultimately derives from our humility before God. He is God, and we are not. He cares for us, and knows the end of our story. He is mighty to save us when we cannot save ourselves.

In contrast to our strong and loving God is the devil, who wants to destroy the lives and witness of believers (v.8). Peter notes that standing strong in the face of these attacks of spiritual warfare requires an active resistance; we cannot be passive in the face of our spiritual enemy. How do we resist the temptation to abandon faith? By keeping our perspective on God’s promise to deliver us in His time, and by embracing the fellowship of other Christians to encourage and sustain us.

APPLY THE WORD

If you are blessed with loved ones who support your desire to live for Christ, commit to praying for your fellow Christians who face the temptation to abandon faith because of persecution. If you don’t have a Christian community to support you, look for small group or prayer partner to encourage you to stand strong for the Lord.

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