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1 Peter 5:8 - Stay Alert!

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

INTRODUCTION

   Usually the easiest way for a lion to get a meal is to go after the animal that lags behind the rest of the herd. While everyone moves along together, there's one that falls behind the group by about 20 feet.
   The lion spots that one and says, "Looks like lunch to me."
   In the book of Job, we find an account of the angels of the Lord presenting themselves before God. And guess who showed up? Satan was there.
   He's no longer in that exalted position in Heaven, but he has a backstage pass into the presence of God. We know that because we read about it in Scripture.
   So God said to him, "From where do you come?"
   And Satan answered, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it" (Job 1:7 NKJV).
   The Devil is roaming around, looking for trouble: "What havoc can I wreak?" "What misery can I bring?" "What life can I potentially destroy?"
   That's why 1 Peter 5:8 describes him as "a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (NKJV). And he never takes a vacation. Wouldn't it be nice if he did? But even then, we would still get ourselves into trouble, don't you think?
   However, the Devil doesn't take a month off. He doesn't even take an hour off. He's always at work. If he's beaten, he rises again. If he can't come through the front door, he'll go through the back door. If he can't climb in through the roof, he'll tunnel up through the floor. He'll find a way to get in.
   Like a lion hunting for prey, he's looking for vulnerability. He's looking for someone he can bring down. So, let's be aware of that and keep our guard up. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]

COMMENTARY PEARL

   About ten o'clock one night, my kids came to tell me that our dog was freaking out outside. "Daddy! We think Sadie has caught something in the back yard!" Hmm, maybe a cat? I thought and smiled to myself.
   Now you may not know this about me, but cats don't like me (probably because I rarely have anything nice to say about them). And besides, Scripture says that the devil roams around like a lion - linking him directly to the cat family. So the thought of our dog treeing a cat brought a little spark of joy to my otherwise quiet evening.
   "I'll go check on her," I said, reassuring them.
   Arming myself with my nunchucks and my iPhone flashlight, I headed out for search-and-destroy maneuvers. Once I had assessed the situation, sure enough, Sadie had treed not our neighbor's housecat - but a bobcat!
   Fortunately, my ninja training kicked in, and before I even realized what was happening, I was back inside my house, with the doors locked and the blinds closed and all the lights on. Then I remembered that Sadie was still out there. Thankfully she survived and lived to hunt wild cats another day.
   It's funny now, and maybe I'm exaggerating (just a little). But what's real is the fear I felt in that moment with that beast snarling at me. WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE AN ENEMY EVERY BIT AS REAL AND LETHAL AS ANY WILD ANIMAL. IF WE'RE NOT ARMED WITH PRAYER AND GOD'S WORD, THEN WE LEAVE OURSELVES OPEN TO A MAJOR ATTACK.
   Never let down your guard spiritually. Be alert.
   Lord, help me to take the Enemy seriously and to remain alert for his snares. Protect me so that I may continue to serve you and grow in my faith. [Daily Power by Craig Groeschel]

COMMENTARY

   The voice is harsh, critical, and condemning. It picks at every problem, magnifies my mishaps, ridicules each wrinkle. It is persistent, sometimes whispers, but often nags with urgency. Merciless and mischievous, it tends to blindside me when I'm feeling really good about myself or about something I've done.
   Whose accusatory voice is it? My own, encouraged by the enemy, who wants me to believe the worst about myself. Thank goodness I have a friend, Jesus, who also talks to me.
   Unlike the enemy, my Advocate and Savior Jesus speaks softly, gently, kindly. Even in redirecting me, He speaks simply, without shaming. He does not condemn me but instead speaks the truth that I am chosen (1 Peter 2:9), loved (John 3:16), and made in His image (Genesis 1:2 7). When I go astray, which is often, Jesus waits patiently for me to feel the weight of my waywardness and return to Him. He sometimes looks me in the eye with compassion and concern and reminds me of His wise and loving ways. His peaceful presence is always available.
   Whenever I hear that other inner voice, I acknowledge it and remind it that Jesus is bigger, stronger, and full of love. His voice is the only one I want to hear. Isabella Campolattaro
   Faith Step: Whose voice are you listening to? List what your destructive voice says, then speak out loud to each comment: Jesus is bigger, stronger, and full of love. I don't have to listen to you anymore!" [Mornings With Jesus 2024 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY

1 Peter 5:8 - Stay Alert!
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20191018-1056.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

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