| Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8 |
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| CHRISTIAN SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: WARNING!!! A LION IS ON THE LOOSE The Apostle Peter knows a thing or two about having to deal with the wiles of the devil. On the night Jesus was arrested Jesus told Peter that Satan has asked for him, desiring that he may sift you as wheat. (Luke 22:31) “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:32) Having been shifted by the Devil and having returned to Jesus Peter is now doing what Jesus told him to do and is strengthening the brethren. 1 Peter 5:8 is a warning revealing vital information about the enemy and it gives vital actions to take so that one is not blindsided or caught off guard. Every believer must know that we have an adversary who IS actively prowling around just as a hungry lion carefully stalks their dinner. Our adversary, the devil, has only bad intentions as he is seeking to devour you. Jesus described him in the Book of John as a liar and a thief who has come to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) How foolish it is for us to deny that we have such an adversary and how careless it is to not be prepared for his coming attacks. From our verse, we learn how to be prepared. The first action is to be sober or sober-minded. It means our minds are always clear so that we can make the very best decision. When we think about being sober, we usually connect that to alcohol. When one is drinking various types of alcohol it IMPAIRS one’s judgment. As a believer with such a vicious enemy, the believer must always be CLEAR-MINDED, and READY to respond as a fiery dart could be launched at them at any moment. There is never a time when the believer can lower their guard, lower their shield of faith! To be sober or sober-minded is to always be SELF-CONTROLLED. The next action is to be WATCHFUL or to be ALERT. Peter is drawing here from the military. The military has soldiers posted at the critical guard post and they guard by WATCHING, being on the highest of alert to the slightest movement. With a clear-thinking mind, we have our eyes and ears on full alert for the slightest of temptation being thrown at us! Doing these things does not prevent the attack from coming. We need to look to verse 9 for the next action in which Peter says, “RESIST him, standing firm in your FAITH! (1 Peter 5:9a) In the face of the enemy you cannot be a coward. You must be courageous and hold up the shield of FAITH. As you demonstrate your faith, believing that what God has said is right and what the devil is saying is wrong, you activate the word of words for resisting the devil as you SUBMIT TO GOD! When you submit, OBEY God, the devil is defeated, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 Submit therefore to God: resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” Be fully aware that you have a vicious enemy who desires to destroy your testimony. Know there are proper actions to take that prepare you for his attacks. Never let your guard down and when the attack comes repel it with obedience. If you will, obedience and submission to God is the kryptonite for the devil! Verse to DATE the Word on May 8 (5/8) is 1 Peter 5:8. It says, Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Continue Strong ALERT for the Adversaries’ Attacks, And remember to DATE the Word |