READING: 2 Peter 1-3
God gives us all we need to live righteously and defeat the enemy – and that’s really all we need to know.
Peter wanted his readers to know that truth, especially when they faced false teachers in their midst. The teachers were so arrogant that they were “unafraid to heap abuse on celestial beings,” who were probably demons (2 Peter 2:10). Apparently, the false teachers were unafraid of the demons, convinced that the evil powers would not attack them and could not defeat them. It would seem, then, that they were also unafraid of God, who “did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be judged” (2 Peter 2:4). The false teachers were only “springs without water” (2 Peter 2:17), worried about neither the enemy’s attacks nor God’s judgment. That’s an incredibly frightening way to live, especially if you’re trying to deceive God’s people in the process.
True believers need not fall into that trap, however, because God “has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). We have His promises, His Spirit, and His people to help us face this battle. With those truths in mind, Peter called his readers (and ultimately, us) to fight this battle well:
- “Make every effort to add to your faith goodness . . . .” (2 Peter 1:5-7)
- “Make every effort to confirm your calling and election” (2 Peter 1:10)
- “You ought to live holy and godly lives” (2 Peter 3:11)
- “Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him” (2 Peter 3:14)
- “Be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position” (2 Peter 3:17)
So, how do we defeat the enemy? By making every effort to be godly.
How do we do that? Only in His power.
Can we do that? Yes. He’s given us Himself. That’s all we need.
ACTION STEPS:
- Evaluate your life in light of five verses listed above. Make an intentional choice to strive unceasingly to live a godly life.
- Turn from any actions that indicate the enemy’s hold in your life.
PRAYER: “Lord, I’m grateful that You’ve defeated all the powers. I commit to living a holy, godly, spotless, and blameless life.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 John 1-5
