[1 Peter 5, Proverbs 7]

H – 1 Peter 5:8–9a, “[8] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] Resist him, firm in your faith, ……”

E – Watchful!

Watching for the enemy’s (the devil) attack is nothing new. There is no doubt that he has a desire to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). He is the father of lies (John 8:44) and has been from the beginning seeking to spoil God’s plan by causing harm to His people (Job 1:7). The earth is his playground and he’s roaming it to and fro looking for someone to devour. If we hear these alarms then shouldn’t that alarm and concern us to the point that we are being watchful?

C.S. Lewis once suggested that the two mistakes Christians make in talking about Satan are that we either joke about him or we ignore him. Yet, Satan and his demons are a real spiritual force that are seeking to wreck your life and the lives of those around you. There is a real spiritual battle going on over your very soul. This battle should not be ignored or jokingly pushed to the side. It’s time to “Wake Up” and “Pay Attention”.

According to this passage the greatest tactic that the enemy is using to devour does not begin with a major blow or an atomic bomb. It begins with simple deception. In 1 Peter 5:6-7, Peter writes for the elders to humble themselves and cast all their anxieties on the Lord, before he even brings up being sober-minded. Think about it. How many times has the deception from truth lead to pride, selfishness, fear, worry, anxiety, uncertainty, depression, hatred, anger, and the list goes on and on. It’s as if the allowance of deceptions away from the reality of truth leads one to fall into sin and self-destruct. That’s how he devours us. Wow!

There is only one way to overcome the devils deception; Jesus. The Christian response to satanic opposition is not panic or fear but firm resistance. Resist means “to withstand,” or “to stand up against.” However, I can not withstand or stand up against these forces with my own power or rebukes. I stand with the authority of God by faith in His Sons death, burial, and resurrection. I resist by the power of Christ that lives within me and stand firm by drawing strength in what I have believed, who I have believed in, and who has persuaded me (Romans 8). 

Even though it is a guarantee that I will face this battle, I don’t have to face it alone. Brothers and sisters all over the world have, are, and will experience suffering that is a direct influence of the devil and as a result of sinful humanity. Together, we clothe ourselves with humility (v.5), humble ourselves before God (v.6), cast all our concerns before Him (V.7), let Him serve us by demonstrating His love towards us (v.7), and clinging to the hope that one day suffering will be no more (v.10). 

I’m reminded of Ephesians 6 and putting on the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6:13, says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Let’s Wake Up, Pay Attention, and Stand!

A – Surrender each day to the Lord, dying to self, clothing myself in His righteousness, and discern God’s truth. After that, stand!

R – Lord God, thank you for your care towards me. You gave your Son for us; providing salvation, hope, warning, direction, promises, and a future to those who have put their faith in you. Lord, help me to heed your Word and pay attention. Lord, warn me of deception. Give me godly discernment. Help me to stand in Your truth. Bind the enemy from his attacks on me, my family, and our faith family. Lord, regardless what comes our way, I pray we experience your peace and rest in it (v.14). 

In Jesus Name!