5:8 devil. “Devil” means “slanderer” and “Satan” means “Accuser;” he is also called the “Adversary.” He is adversary to both God and man, slandering and accusing man to God and God to man.

5:8 roaring lion. Satan is like a “roaring lion” and is “the great dragon” and “that old serpent” (Revelation 12:9), but he can also be “transformed into an angel of light” (II Corinthians 11:14).

5:9 resist. Despite his deceptions, as well as his accusations, his power, his hatred and his ferocity, Satan can be successfully resisted (James 4:7) and even overcome (I John 2:13-14; 4:4; 5:18). He is, in fact, already a defeated foe (Hebrews 2:14). However, for personal victory “against the wiles of the devil” in our present circumstances, we must “put on the whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6:11,14-17).