Sifted

by Terry Wane Benton

The Lord told Peter that Satan would sift him like wheat. He sifts through our character and principles to find that vulnerable spot that he can use to bring us down. With David, it was lust; with others, it is alcohol or chemical addiction. The weak spot in some is the desire to fit in and be accepted by those around them who seem to be cool. The weak spot in others is a lack of depth in commitment and love for God. This will be sifted out and used by the devil (the Accuser).

With some, it is bitterness about something that happened in the past, and now Satan is using it to squelch involvement and growth in the Lord’s church. Verbal backstabbing becomes a handy device when Satan sifts for lack of love and finds an opportunity to spread dissatisfaction and murmuring.

The point is that neither Peter nor we know how the devil may be sifting and sifting through us to find that weak spot and then use it to create division and weakness among God’s people.

Pride is an easy target for many. Lust of the eye is another easy avenue to sift out and identify. Lust of the flesh, the selfish and self-centered will of man, is also a favorite place to sift for weakness. However, since we know that we will be sifted, we must continually monitor our vulnerable areas and strengthen them with the power of God’s word.

His word is powerful, and it gets down to the very thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Let it work mightily with you and let God be the One who is greater in you than the devil (I John 5:1-3) who is in the world.