Victory Over the Roaring Lion

 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1Pet.5:8

I always thought of this verse to mean that the devil is on the prowl, looking for our unguarded moments or our sinful dalliances, to pounce on us to gobble us up so to speak. I looked at him as a mugger who robs us and beats us up and leaves us for dead. Like the gangsters and thugs who want what we have and who take advantage of us when we are somewhere we ought not to be.

Pastor tonight said that the devil is out and about looking for a weak believer to entice them to sin and rebel against God. Like Eve in the Garden.

We are called in the text to be sober and to be vigilant. The word sober means what you think it means. Do no be drunk on alcohol. Be a sipping saint and do not be surprised when you find a roaring lion in your house. The word vigilant means to be watchful. Do not get taken by surprise. Be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of triggers that send you over the edge. The devil is a master at deception, making himself into an angel of light to appear god-like.

The final word is that we cannot do this on our own. We need the Lord's help every day. We do our part, and God will do His part.

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7