Don’t Be Caught Off Guard
Today’s Verse:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. ~1 Peter 5:8-9
It is important to be familiar with your surroundings whenever you go outside of your home, and to be careful not to be a victim of a crime. This is especially true in the evening. You want to make sure that you park your car in a well-lit area. Do not walk through deserted pathways or down alleys. Look around you as you exit a store, mall, or restaurant. Our devotion this morning is a caution for us to be vigilant, and to beware of the enemy’s subtle attacks. Peter wrote about Satan being our enemy. He is looking for victims that he can attack and devour. Let us see this morning the importance of not being caught off guard.
We see Satan is our adversary.
The devil is our enemy. Peter describes him as “your adversary, the devil.” He is a false accuser. He is a murderer and liar from the beginning. He is no friend to the Christian. His agenda and goal is your defeat, downfall, and demise. He hates everything that God has done for you. He is deceitful and subtle. He does not sleep. He is constantly looking for vulnerable points whereby he may attack you.
We see Satan making an announcement.
Peter said that the devil walks about as a roaring lion. A lion’s roar is an announcement that he is hungry and nearby. He seeks to intimidate you by his roar. He seeks to make you go into hiding with his roar. He wants you to turn your back to him when he roars, and make you vulnerable to attack from behind. He roars through the medium of temptation. He roars when our carnal desires are aroused. He roars when another person does something to aggravate you and cause you to be filled with animosity.
We see Satan is on the attack.
He walks about seeking lives. He has a strong sense of smell and awareness. He is looking for the newborn. He is looking for the weak and the wounded. He is looking for the one that has strayed from the rest of the group. He is looking for the one who is venturesome. He is looking for the one that is arrogant and thinks that he will outrun or outsmart this lion. He is looking for the one who is trying to make his journey in the dark. He is looking to make a meal out of you! He is not content with just taking a bite. He wants to devour his entire catch. He is an eating machine. He is looking for you!
We see Satan and the advice.
Peter has sound advice for us concerning the devil. Be sober: wake up! Keep your eyes open! You are walking in the devil’s territory. Be vigilant: be aware of your surroundings and watch out! Resist steadfast in the faith: if you hear and see him, hold your ground! Don’t let him get the best of you; you get the best of him! Resist him by having a prevailing prayer life. Resist him by putting on the whole armor of God. Resist him by staying in the Word of God! Resist him by not giving place to him! Remember that there are other brethren going through the same afflictions!
We see Satan and our advantage.
Our advantage is that we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous! Jesus said that Satan desires to sift us as wheat, but Jesus Himself has prayed for us! Jesus is praying for us, that our faith will not fail! Jesus is more powerful than the devil! Jesus defeated the devil on the cross. You are on the winning side.
Don’t let the roaring lion ruin your day. Be sober, be vigilant, have faith in God, and pray with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Fight the good fight of faith, and tell the devil to get behind you! Don’t be caught off guard!
Have a victorious God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 140-145