“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” I Peter 5:8
I Peter 5:8 compares man’s enemy, Satan, to a roaring, devouring lion. Notice some similarities between the two:
- A lion attacks when you least expect it. Satan attacks and destroys lives. He is so quick and silent with his deadly attacks, that most do not know what is happening until it is too late. That is why it is so important to read and know the Word of God. It warns of what can harm us. A Bible-educated person will be aware of the devil’s devices, often sins, and hopefully will avoid them.
- A lion can attack, even when thought harmless. Many that work around these felines, from zookeepers to magicians, have learned the hard, painful way that there is no such thing as a harmless lion. Satan and the sin he uses to tempt are not harmless. There is ALWAYS a price tag on sin!
- A lion attacks just about any animal. Our enemy, Satan, has no love for any man or woman. It does not matter who they are, or what they do. Our enemy is determined to destroy them; and if they are Christians, destroy their testimonies so they are no use for the cause of Christ.
- A lion attacks more viciously when he draws blood. Like the lion, Satan shows no mercy. When his attacks begin to destroy and ruin a life, he continues to do all he can for further destruction. As the preacher Oliver Green used to warn (paraphrased), “Satan hates your guts and wants to destroy you, and all that is dear to you.”
Lions are, indeed, vicious, dangerous creatures. A wise person stays away from them and distances himself from areas they inhabit. A wise person should also stay away from any sin Satan uses to entrap his prey and especially from places and people where sin is prevalent.
otme 7/18/16
Satan primarily acts on us through deception. Deception by him is only countered by prayer, reading God’s word, and being plugged into the Vine. I have an Elder Brother in my church that often says that the only thing he really fears is being deceived. I think that is a wise thing to be a little bit paranoid about. It causes us to pray for guidance and walk circumspectly.
The number one symptom of being deceived is that you don’t know it.
I would rather face a lion than the devil as some lions have been tamed and the devil never will be tamed .
Brothers, I have come to trust heavily in the Holy Ghost to give me discernment and wisdom and power over the enemy. Of course, not discounting your statements about the word of God…. Jesus himself used the word of God like a battering ram when confronted and tempted by Satan himself.
I would like to hear what you all have to say about the role of the Holy Ghost in arming us to resist the enemy.
I think He (The Holy Spirit) helps us put on the whole armor of God when we pray for strength against Satan’s attacks (Ephesians 6)
Bro. Bill might have something better to add to that!
When I was growing up, I always thought that Satan lived in Hell and walked around in the flames beating people with a long paddle! But as Peter says, Satan lives on earth and walks around trying to destroy mankind!
Satan will eventually be thrown in Hell (Revelation 20:10)