Topical Bible: The Devil: Saints: Sifted By

◄ The Devil: Saints: Sifted By ►

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The concept of the Devil sifting saints is a theme that appears in various passages of the Bible, illustrating the trials and temptations that believers may face. The Devil, also known as Satan, is depicted as an adversary who seeks to test the faith and resolve of God's people.

One of the most direct references to this concept is found in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus warns Simon Peter of the Devil's intentions: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32). Here, the imagery of sifting wheat suggests a process of testing and separating, indicating that Satan desires to challenge the disciples' faith.

The Book of Job provides a profound example of a saint being sifted by the Devil. Job, described as a blameless and upright man, becomes the subject of Satan's scrutiny. Satan challenges God, suggesting that Job's faithfulness is due to his prosperity and protection. God permits Satan to test Job, resulting in severe trials and suffering. Despite his hardships, Job remains faithful, demonstrating the resilience of true faith under the Devil's sifting (Job 1-2).

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of his own experiences with satanic opposition. In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul refers to a "thorn in the flesh," which he describes as "a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being conceited" . This passage suggests that even the most devoted servants of God may endure trials instigated by the Devil, serving as a means to refine and humble them.

The Apostle Peter, having experienced the sifting of Satan firsthand, later writes to encourage believers to remain vigilant: "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith" (1 Peter 5:8-9). Peter's exhortation underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for steadfastness in the face of the Devil's schemes.

James, the brother of Jesus, also addresses the testing of faith, though he emphasizes the positive outcome of such trials: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:2-3). While the Devil's intent may be to destroy, God can use these trials to strengthen and purify the faith of His saints.

Throughout Scripture, the sifting of saints by the Devil serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle that believers face. It highlights the necessity of reliance on God's strength and the assurance of Christ's intercession, as seen in His prayer for Peter. The trials permitted by God are not without purpose, ultimately contributing to the spiritual growth and maturity of His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 22:31
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter vi. --For 334. Easter-Day, xii Pharmuthi, vii Id. April ...
... being a stranger, and of a different race from the saints, be accounted ... with due
observance; but he, while eating it, was sifted of the devil [4123] , who ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter vi for 334 easter-day xii.htm

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely ...
... and therefore when the matter is well sifted, it is ... hath been given them, and taught
them of the devil. ... indeed sometimes to flee, and the saints sometimes fled ...
/.../proposition xiv concerning the power.htm

Spiritual Gifts.
... It may sometimes consist in being sifted like wheat ... Church; destroy the works of
the devil, and all ... Catechism confesses the communion of saints: "First, that ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxvii spiritual gifts.htm

Temptations.
... the wisest are fools, when suffered to be sifted as wheat ... a one as wouldst send thy
soul to the devil in a ... I believe there are but few saints in the world that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xv temptations.htm

The Brethren at Home.
... His character and conduct were thoroughly sifted. ... In this instance, however, the
devil was innocent. ... but not worship, the Virgin Mary and the Saints, and they ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vii the brethren at.htm

From the Two Books on the Promises.
... the conviction of the world, of the devil, of Antichrist ... and acceptable to God, just
as those saints were ... Scripture was forming, every claim was sifted, is well ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/i from the two books on.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. Chap. v. 3 and 8, "Blessed are ...
... This Peter says, and is commended; the devil says it ... canvassed, and examined, and
by disputation to be thoroughly sifted. ... Wherefore take heaven for all saints. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon iii on the words.htm

Psalm CXXVII.
... Did not an angel fall from heaven, and become the devil? ... filled the whole earth,
whence the Saints spring ... Except the prophecy involved were sifted with diligence ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxvii.htm

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ...
... and without ceasing it must be sifted as wheat ... lord and head, who took from the devil
his power ... apostles, prophets, patriarchs and all the saints, especially of ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/third sunday after trinity humility.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... Consider, 4. That if the devil should be too hard for thee, and deceive ... in this age,
that, if the faith of the true saints was well sifted, and tradition ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm