Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
In her book the Armor of God, Priscilla Shirer, notes that many people tend to see everyday problems in non-spiritual terms, and because of that we often seek non-spiritual solutions. What we fail to understand is that the devil is real, and spiritual warfare is the occupation of every born-again believer. As one preacher put it, “As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual.” All the darkness that surrounds our human lives is camouflage. The real enemy hides underneath the surface. There is a spiritual component to all the trouble we face in the flesh and we must confront each attack with spiritual weapons, if we are to lead victorious Christian lives.
The writer of 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us that we need to be sober and alert as we make our way in the world because the devil does not rest. He is like a roaring lion who prowls around in search of prey. One thing about lions, is that they like to go after the weak, the wounded and the isolated. As Christians, there are so many situations that weaken us, wound us, and cause us to be isolated. This is when we are most vulnerable to the enemy’s lies and tricks. Hebrews 10:25 warns us not to forsake assembling together and exhorting each other especially as we see the Day of Christ approaching. There is strength in numbers, because when one falls, there are other brothers and sisters to pick them up.
Are there areas in your life that seems to be under attack? Are you dealing with strongholds and besetting sins that torment you again and again? Do you see family patterns that you wish would go away? Does the world around you appear off kilter? These are all signs of demonic activity and as Children of Light, we must do battle in Jesus’ name. God has already declared victory, and therefore, we fight from that place of victory, as blood bought, forgiven, sanctified heirs and heiresses to the Kingdom of God. In the words of Paul to the Ephesians, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm….”
Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance that every battle belongs to you. Give me discernment so that I might identify the devil’s schemes in my life and in the lives of my family. I take authority over every principality and power that opposes you, in the Mighty name of Jesus Christ and I lose victory over my life, in accordance with your divine promises for me. Amen.