Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts

I Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

This morning, there are many misunderstood concepts about God, His promises, precepts, and institutions. However, it seems that there is a growing misconception about the devil as well. It does seem logical though that the world would become misconceived about the wicked as well as the righteous. I have found in my observations that most concepts about the devil are extreme thoughts and notions (just as man does everything else in the extreme). Most folks in the world give the devil far too much power and authority, and most folks in the religious world give him far too little credit.

The first, biggest misconception about the devil in the world is what his authority controls. The answer is close to nothing. THE DEVIL IS NOT THE RULER OF HELL! This notion is nothing short of robbing the Lord of His glory and honour. The devil will be a RESIDENT of hell and the lake of fire, but he does NOT control it. David made it very plain that the LORD was in heaven and hell (Psalm 139:8), and I seriously doubt that the LORD's presence (albeit wrathful presence) would be in a place if the devil was the ruler of it.

Also, the devil is not an authority like God. He must ask and inquire to do anything. Notice that the devil wanted to do some things to Job, but he had to inquire about it first. He also wanted to do far more than the Lord allowed, for the Lord specifically told him of some things that he could not do. This means that the devil is not as powerful as God (another misconception in the world). However, I am afraid that this extreme view by the world has caused some religious people to fall into another extreme. Some claim that the devil is all weak and cannot do anything.

It is true that we have the ability to resist the devil (James 4:7), but the only way to do that is to draw nigh unto God and not underestimate the devil. Peter here is trying to make sure that the saints did not underestimate him, for he compares the devil to a fairly powerful beast. However, the language is also comforting, because the devil is seeking whom he MAY devour. Notice that he is seeking who he MAY. With the LORD it is always a WILL or SHALL. With the LORD, things are sure and steadfast, but the devil seeks to maybe do something. Therefore, let us never underestimate the devil and always keep our armour securely fastened with our minds, hearts, and ears attuned to the things of God. But, let us also never give the devil too much credit and rob our LORD of His glory.

In Hope,

Bro Philip