Beware the Lion

This article was originally published here, on July 14, 2009.


"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5: 8).

Do you believe this verse? Is it possible that there is an actual devil? And that he prowls around seeking someone to devour? Really? I mean, do you really believe that there are actual forces of darkness that are seeking to destroy mankind in general, and God's people in particular? Before you answer, let's look at Peter's analogy.

Peter tells us that the devil is like a lion on the hunt. I have watched numerous nature documentaries on predators. When lions hunt, they often attack the weaker animal, and they go about their attack by separating their target from the herd. Once cut off from the protection of the the herd, the animal becomes essentially helpless.

Watching these documentaries can be very helpful. The camera crew watches the herds to see how they react to the approaching danger. Often, the older battle-wise leaders in the herd, graze a little, watch a little. Their ears twitch, this way and that, in order to pick up any hint of danger's approach. Younger, inexperienced members of the herd, play and explore with little observation. Most of the time when cameras capture the lions bursting out of the tall grass into open, the observant older animals have already began to sprint away. Younger animals seem to be notified of danger, not by a sound, but by the mad rush of the herd away from their position. And many times, it is too late; the lions prevail.

I doubt Peter ever saw a documentary on lions, but he had probably witnessed a lion attack. Obviously, Peter was aware of the cunning tactics that lions use.  Most likely, his audience was familiar with these tactics as well.  This familiarity is precisely why he uses the image he does.  Peter explains that Satan "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." The lion's roar is meant to throw the victim into panic, to scatter its wits, to terrorize and disorient. Likewise, Satan seeks to make a lot of noise. He likes to hit us from all sides. He wants us to feel like destruction is inevitable. He needs us to believe that he will prevail.

Now back to the initial question: do you believe 1 Peter 5:8? Is the devil (and his demons) really out there trying to destroy us? Let me answer the second question: yes, there is a real devil (with demons) who is seeking to devour whomever he can. But, do you believe that?

The only way to know if you truly believe that the devil is out there waiting to pounce is by the way you live. Are you sober-minded and watchful? Are you like the older animals in the herd who graze a little and watch a little? Or are you busy playing and exploring? Are your ears ever vigilant, straining for the first sounds of warning? If our life isn't marked by sober-mindedness and watchfulness, then it doesn't matter what we say we believe. If someone says, "Yes, I believe 1 Peter 5:8," but fails to be watchful and sober-minded, then they too will be devoured.

We have forgotten our Master's instruction, "Pray then like this . . . And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matt. 6:9, 13). We have also forgotten his warning, "Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41). I believe, in part, that Peter calls us to sober-mindedness and watchfulness, because he would spare us the shame of failing our Lord. A shame he knew too well, and probably never totally overcame. The lion is out there, keep up your guard and be ready to call to your protector, that Great Shepherd of our soul, Lord Jesus.

The External Sources of Temptation

On Monday, I posted an article on the internal source of temptation (the enemy within), that is, the flesh. Today, I want to look at the enemy without. What are the external sources of temptation in the life of people? Those sources are the world and the devil. James addresses these sources of temptation in James 4:4-10.

In the beginning of these verses he refers to the people as adulterers. Within the large context of his letter, and the closer context of chapter four, this adultery must be seen as spiritual. They have abandoned the true worship of God, and have made peace with the world. James stuns them with his accusation prior to asking them a simple question, "Don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred of God?" (James 4:4). The expression, "You adulterous people," coupled with the question about friendship with the world implies that these people have already given into the world on a practical level, even while mentally affirming to need to abstain from the world.

When we consider the economy God used when revealing himself so that we have 66 book instead of hundreds of them, we have abbreviated accounts instead of exhaustive accounts, and that he moved in such a way that each jot and tittle will not pass away, we should ask ourselves why James makes a statement that expresses the answer to his question. Why does James repeat himself? The question is designed to elicit an affirmative. They know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God. However, James repeats himself. He doesn't appeared satisfied to leave the question unanswered, even when the answer was obvious. He states, "Anyone who chooses to be a friend the world becomes and enemy of God" (James 1:4). James repeats himself to stress the dire consequences of befriending the world.

He turns to logic to stress this reality. He states, "Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?" (James 1:5). The Scripture compels us to realize the God has recreated us with a new desire for his glory and honor. Now, because we are in Christ, we desire to do his will and thus, why we struggle with sin. Yet, even in the midst of struggle, "He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble'" (James 1:6).

Without much fanfare, James transitions from the world to the devil. He can speak of the two as if they are one, because he knows the devil is the ruler of the world. He uses God's grace to shift the discussion away from fellowship with the world to overcoming the devil (and thus his kingdom). The starting point in this venture is humility before God. God gives grace to the proud. "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3). In order to overcome we must submit ourselves to God.

The next step is to resist the devil. We do not battle him, he is to powerful for us. We do not outwit him, he is to crafty for us. We run to God, and let God battle him for us. We turn to the cross of Christ, and claim the promises that are ours in Christ Jesus. We rebuke him in the name of the Lord. We put on the armor of God by walking in faithful obedience to the Lord and his Word (see Eph. 6:10-18). When we resist the devil, he flees (James 4:7).

Next we draw near to God. This is possible because Christ has paid our blood debt. We may now enter into the throne room of heaven and cry out, "Abba, Father!" We are welcomed and accepted in the presence of the Father, because the work of the Son and the presence of the Spirit in our lives. As we draw near to God, he draws near to us (James 1:8). The image that springs to mind is that of a father embracing their wounded child. They have come to him for comfort, he has come to them to bring comfort.

James commands, "Wash your hands, you sinners." That is to say, we should stop sinning, and through repentance and faith, find cleansing in Christ. He is calling his audience to put away their sin. He calls them to purify their hearts. His reference to their double-mindedness puts the emphasis on their need to regain a singular focus on the true God. The way to purify their hearts is through wholehearted devotion to the Lord. The call to mourn stress their need for sobriety. They have been intoxicated by the world and need to put away such things.

Finally, James again calls us to humility. However, as we humble ourselves, God raises us up. This raising up gives us no room to boast, but does drive us to marvel at the grace of our Lord. Those who will fall at the feet of Jesus in this life, will be raised up to rule with him in the next. Lord, draw us ever nearer and teach us to walk humbly with you. Amen.

Beware the Lion

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5: 8).

Do you believe this verse? Is it possible that there is an actual devil? And that he prowls around seeking someone to devour? Really? I mean, do you really believe that there are actual forces of darkness that are seeking to destroy mankind in general, and God's people in particular? Before you answer, let's look at Peter's analogy.

Peter tells us that the devil is like a lion on the hunt. I have watched numerous nature documentaries on predators. When lions hunt, they often attack the weaker animal, and they go about their attack by separating their target from the herd. Once cut off from the protection of the the herd, the animal becomes essentially helpless.

Watching these documentaries can be very helpful. The camera crew watches the herds to see how they react to the approaching danger. Often, the older battle-wise leaders in the herd, graze a little, watch a little. Their ears twitch, this way and that, in order to pick up any hint of danger's approach. Younger, inexperienced members of the herd, play and explore with little observation. Most of the time when cameras capture the lions bursting out of the tall grass into open, the observant older animals have already began to sprint away. Younger animals seem to be notified of danger, not by a sound, but by the mad rush of the herd away from their position. And many times, it is too late; the lions prevail.

I doubt Peter ever saw a documentary on lions, but he had probably witnessed a lion attack. He knew the cunning tactics that lions use. That is precisely why he uses the image he does in this verse. Satan "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." The lion's roar is meant to throw the victim into panic, to scatter its wits, to terrorize and disorient. Likewise, Satan seeks to make a lot of noise. He likes to hit us from all sides. He wants us to feel like destruction is inevitable. He needs us to believe that he will prevail.

Now back to the initial question: do you believe 1 Peter 5:8? Is the devil (and his demons) really out there trying to destroy us? Let me answer the second question: yes, there is a real devil (with demons) who is seeking to devour whomever he can. But, do you believe that?

The only way to know if you truly believe that the devil is out there waiting to pounce is by the way you live. Are you sober-minded and watchful? Are you like the older animals in the herd who graze a little and watch a little? Or are you busy playing and exploring? Are your ears ever vigilant, straining for the first sounds of warning? If our life isn't marked by sober-mindedness and watchfulness, then it doesn't matter if we say we believe. If someone says, "Yes, I believe 1 Peter 5:8," but fails to be watchful and sober-minded, then they too will be devoured.

We have forgotten our Master's instruction, "Pray then like this . . . And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matt. 6:9, 13). We have also forgotten his warning, "Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41). I believe in part that Peter calls us to sober-mindedness and watchfulness, because he would spare us the shame of failing our Lord. A shame he knew too well, and probably never totally overcame. The lion is out there, keep up your guard and be ready to call to your protector, that Great Shepherd of our soul, Lord Jesus.