Resisting the Lion 

This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

Be self-controlled and alert. Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. —1 Peter 5:8-9

Not many living people have had the experience of being chased or attacked by a lion. But some years ago now, Anne Hjelle experienced the horror of being attacked by a mountain lion while riding a bicycle in Orange County California's Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. According to news reports at the time, she "knew immediately what it was. He grabbed my shoulders with his claws and attached his jaws to the back of my neck." Fortunately, Hjelle survived the attack, spending weeks in a hospital due to the wounds the lion inflicted to her neck and face.

I'm quite sure that Anne Hjelle has a very vivid understanding of today's Scripture! Certainly, we all are aware that in the wild, lions are dangerous animals. Yet, in our time, lions are largely relegated to zoos or wildlife preserves and lion attacks on people - in the wild - are rare. As a result, we have lost to a large degree the sense of danger that the Apostle Peter was trying to express to Christ-followers in his ‘devil as lion' analogy. According to Peter, Satan means to chase you down and destroy you, if possible.

The danger is real. Peter refers to the devil's tactics as sufferings.  But, Peter did not want Christ-followers to hide, cower in fear, or run away because of the threat. Rather, he explained to his readers, that Christ-followers are to stand firm and resist the devil. The Apostle Paul explained to the church in Ephesus that we take our stand against the devil by putting on the full armor of God. The protective armor includes faith, God's Word and prayer (see Ephesians 6:13-18 for the entire list.)

While the devil is a real foe, it's important to remember that he is already defeated. His destruction, in the end, is certain - guaranteed by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Just as certain for Christ-followers is our own ultimate victory! And, in the meantime, while the battle still wages on, we have been told that if we stand firm and resist Satan, he will flee from us.

Today, be alert to the schemes the devil may use to attempt to harm you. Take his prowling seriously. Put on your armor. Stand firm. Resist. If you do so, you'll find that you are victorious in whatever battle he brings your way.

GOING DEEPER: 

1. What area or areas of your life do you think you are most vulnerable to an attack from the devil? 
2. What action can you take today, to resist the devil - to guard those vulnerable area or areas of your life?

FURTHER READING: 
Ephesians 6:10-18; James 4:7; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:10

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