Satan’s ultimate goal is clear: separation. Why? Because isolation often leads to destruction. Like a predator separating prey from the herd, Satan seeks to disconnect us from God and community, leaving us vulnerable. But there is hope, so stay connected.
Jesus gives Simon Peter a sobering, yet powerful warning in Luke 22:31–32, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Imagine this scene at The Last Supper. Satan desired to shake Peter’s faith so violently that he’d fall and never rise again. But Jesus, knowing the storm and trials ahead, didn’t just warn Peter, but He also interceded for him. Sata seeks to sift every believer, and if you’re feeling the weight of trials or that the storm is never ending right now, take heart. You’re not alone.
How do you know who is doing the sifting?
- When satan sifts, he aims to destroy. His methods leave us shattered: broken, faithless, and defeated. John 10:10 reveals his mission clearly as to “steal, kill, and destroy.” His attacks aren’t random; they target the foundation of our faith.
- When God sifts, the purpose is purification. Amos 9:9 reminds us “For I will give the command, and I will shake the people of Israel among all the nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, and not a pebble will reach the ground.” God’s sifting removes the impurities and leaves behind what is valuable and true. While satan seeks to snuff out our faith, God refines it while ensuring that the Kingdom suffers no loss.
Here’s the good news: we’re not left to face the sifting alone. Jesus interceded for Peter, and He continues to intercede for us. Through the Holy Spirit, we’re equipped to withstand the shaking and emerge stronger. Always remember that this isn’t a call to rely on our own strength. As Jesus later reminds Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Our victory lies not in our ability to fight, but in our willingness to lean into God’s grace.
When the sifting ends, the work isn’t over - it’s just beginning. Jesus gave Peter a clear assignment in verse 32, “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” This wasn’t just a word for Peter. It’s for all of us. After the trials and after the storms, God often calls us to shift or to step into a deeper purpose, to encourage others, and to walk in renewed faith. Your survival isn’t just for you; it’s for the strengthening of others.
Whatever you’re facing today, know this:
- If satan is sifting, stand firm in faith. Jesus has already prayed for you and He continues to intercede for you.
- If God is sifting, trust the process. He’s refining you for something greater.
- You are not abandoned. You are being prepared. So stay connected, stand strong, and remember: You still have work to do after the sifting. Be ready to shift quickly.
The goal of Satan is to separate us to slaughter us. Stay connected.