0764. Satan Seeks to Sift the Believer

Satan Seeks to Sift the Believer

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift yon as wheat, but I have prayed for thee" (Luk_22:31-32).

That Simon needed sifting we do not doubt. That Simon was sifted we are sure. However, the sifting that Simon received was not the sifting that satan desired.

Simon Peter was the one who seemed full of human energy and self-trust. He had said, "Though all men offend Thee, yet will not I." Thus, Simon needed sifting.

Simon was the one who gladly drew a sword in behalf of his Master. Certainly he was reproved, for he was fighting when he should have been seeking guidance–yet, the fighting showed his careless abandon, and his courageous love in behalf of his Master. Still, Simon needed sifting.

Simon was the one who followed Christ into the home of the high priest. Peter (Simon) had been reproved for using a sword, and to be sure he thrice denied knowing the Lord, still Simon was there–across the hall–and the others were not there. Yet, Simon needed sifting.

Satan knew the power of this impetuous fisherman. He reckoned on him as the one man, among the twelve, whom he had most reason to fear. Satan reckoned well. After years proved satan’s surmises were correct. It was Peter who was leading spokesman at Pentecost. It was Peter who led in the great marches of the Church in its mission among the Jewish people during many years.

Satan, therefore, sought to sift Peter. He turned against him with all the cunning and power of his mighty hand. His purpose was to make shipwreck of Peter’s faith. He wanted to do with Peter what he accomplished with Judas–he wanted to turn Peter, body and soul, against the Lord.

Christ knew Peter’s weak spots, he anticipated satan’s attack. The Lord just put His great big arm around Peter and said, "Simon * * satan * * I."

Jesus Christ fought Peter’s battle. He allowed satan to sift Peter for Peter’s good. In truth satan became, against his will, and beyond his purpose, the chisel in the hand of God to knock off many of the rough spots in Peter’s character.

Peter came forth from satan’s wiles a better and a stronger man. Before satan had finished his sifting process Peter could use swords, and curse and swear; after the sifting was done, Peter could preach with boldness, a Gospel of marvelous power, and he could even die the death of a martyr in his fidelity to his Master.

Satan will always seek to sift us to our hurt. He will try to pull us down. He will seek to overturn our faith, to weaken our prayer life, and thus to kill our testimony.

Blessed be God. There is still One Who builds a hedge about us, as He did about Job, of old. Satan can only get at us as God permits, and then not to our ultimate undoing, but to our ultimate enrichment. What we must do is to follow the Lord fully, and we need have no fear of satan’s sifting.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR