Peter, Satan has desired to sift you....
Luke 22:31 &32 KJV
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat : But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
I like the way the Message Bible words this scripture with today's understanding in mind.
Message Bible version: “Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.”
I find it really interesting that as a believer Satan finds us so much of a threat that he asks for permission to sift us. But, even more powerful is the confidence that we can count on Jesus to be pray for us and not leave us to go through this time alone.
There are at least 2 other places in the word that we find that Satan tried to sift other believers. (Job 1 & 2) God allowed Satan to sift Job....his test was to prove his faithfulness, (2 Corin.12:7-9) God allowed Satan to sift Paul.....his test was to keep him from pride. Now as with Peter's sifting it was to test his faithfulness and he actually failed but, Jesus knew he would that is why He told him ... when you come through this testing; (not if , when) come back and help others with a fresh start a you have received. Failure doesn't have to be the end; it can be the end to self and the beginning of a new life with Christ living in and through us not self.
The Message Bible puts it very accurate in meaning. Stan has a desire to separate us from Jesus.
Notice that Jesus had to inform Peter of his coming trial because Peter was completely unaware of the battle for his soul. We tend to pose this question ..... If Jesus knew this was going to happen to Peter or even to any of us why doesn't He stop it from taking place. Because Jesus knows the beginning from the end and knows that if we endure and trust Him that we will come out the other side a much stronger and more powerful disciple of Christ , wreaking havoc upon the works of Satan's.
Does Satan want to sift us? Yes, most definitely he does. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:(KJV)
Have you ever noticed that you will going about life, things going good and things all of a sudden seem to come out of left field almost knocking you off your feet? If we really want to make an impact for Jesus and the kingdom of heaven , then we need to realize that there is going to be a price to pay. We will be tested in a number of ways but, know that if we persevere Jesus will use it to refine us to become even more effective than we have ever been before.
we can find 3 things that Jesus wanted Peter to learn and I believe we can learn the same from Peter's example.
1) He had to learn to submit to the Lord with humility.
2) Jesus wanted him to learn to love others regardless of whether they were Jew or Gentile.
3) He needed to learn submission to the will of God. He had to learn that his will and God's will are not always the same.
When Satan sift's believer's , his goal is to damage their faith so much as to render them useless . We have to learn to put down our pride and put on the Holy Spirit's courage.
And as we go through these tests and trials we need to remember these key things.
Jesus, said He is praying for us. Jesus said He will never leave us or forsake us. Jesus said ... Fear not, I will be with you even to the end of time. (paraphrased).
And finally the word says in Ephesians 6:10-17 (KJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God !
And let us not forget the last thing that Jesus says in these verses. WHEN we come through go and strengthen you brothers and sisters.!!!!!!
Luke 22:31 &32 KJV
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat : But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
I like the way the Message Bible words this scripture with today's understanding in mind.
Message Bible version: “Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.”
I find it really interesting that as a believer Satan finds us so much of a threat that he asks for permission to sift us. But, even more powerful is the confidence that we can count on Jesus to be pray for us and not leave us to go through this time alone.
There are at least 2 other places in the word that we find that Satan tried to sift other believers. (Job 1 & 2) God allowed Satan to sift Job....his test was to prove his faithfulness, (2 Corin.12:7-9) God allowed Satan to sift Paul.....his test was to keep him from pride. Now as with Peter's sifting it was to test his faithfulness and he actually failed but, Jesus knew he would that is why He told him ... when you come through this testing; (not if , when) come back and help others with a fresh start a you have received. Failure doesn't have to be the end; it can be the end to self and the beginning of a new life with Christ living in and through us not self.
The Message Bible puts it very accurate in meaning. Stan has a desire to separate us from Jesus.
Notice that Jesus had to inform Peter of his coming trial because Peter was completely unaware of the battle for his soul. We tend to pose this question ..... If Jesus knew this was going to happen to Peter or even to any of us why doesn't He stop it from taking place. Because Jesus knows the beginning from the end and knows that if we endure and trust Him that we will come out the other side a much stronger and more powerful disciple of Christ , wreaking havoc upon the works of Satan's.
Does Satan want to sift us? Yes, most definitely he does. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:(KJV)
Have you ever noticed that you will going about life, things going good and things all of a sudden seem to come out of left field almost knocking you off your feet? If we really want to make an impact for Jesus and the kingdom of heaven , then we need to realize that there is going to be a price to pay. We will be tested in a number of ways but, know that if we persevere Jesus will use it to refine us to become even more effective than we have ever been before.
we can find 3 things that Jesus wanted Peter to learn and I believe we can learn the same from Peter's example.
1) He had to learn to submit to the Lord with humility.
2) Jesus wanted him to learn to love others regardless of whether they were Jew or Gentile.
3) He needed to learn submission to the will of God. He had to learn that his will and God's will are not always the same.
When Satan sift's believer's , his goal is to damage their faith so much as to render them useless . We have to learn to put down our pride and put on the Holy Spirit's courage.
And as we go through these tests and trials we need to remember these key things.
Jesus, said He is praying for us. Jesus said He will never leave us or forsake us. Jesus said ... Fear not, I will be with you even to the end of time. (paraphrased).
And finally the word says in Ephesians 6:10-17 (KJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God !
And let us not forget the last thing that Jesus says in these verses. WHEN we come through go and strengthen you brothers and sisters.!!!!!!
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