Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Like a Roaring Lion

1 Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
The Ghost and the Darkness is a frightening movie about two man-eating lions. It depicts a true story, set in the late 1900s in Kenya. Watching it, one can imagine the terror of the villagers as one by one, people from their village are killed and eaten by lions. The lions might strike anyone who wanders away from the safety of the village, leaving the bare bones for loved ones to discover. Sometimes, the lions enter the village at night, padding silently on their huge paws. Quietly, they enter a hut, and then drag some poor unsuspecting victim, screaming, into the brush for dinner.

Scripture tell us that “the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8b NKJ). Life in modern America--where the only time we might see a lion is while it is sleeping in a cage at the zoo-- anesthetizes us to the real danger of the lion. The people in rural Kenya understand the fear and the danger from a roaring lion. We need to realize just how dangerous our roaring lion, Satan, truly is. We are just as vulnerable to his attacks as a villager, alone, facing a hungry, man-eating lion.

How do we protect ourselves from the roaring lion? We must be vigilant, watching for his attacks, putting on God’s armor for protection (see Ephesians 6:10-21). We must live our lives full of truth and righteousness. We must be prepared to share God’s good news.

We must carry a shield of faith to protect us from Satan’s sharp claws and teeth. Our heads must be protected by the salvation of Jesus Christ and by the word of God. Additionally, we must pray constantly. Only God’s mighty power can protect us from the roaring lion.

O God, keep me ever mindful that Satan is always on the prowl, eager to devour my flesh, eager to devour my soul. Remind me daily to put on Your armor that I may withstand the attacks of this ferocious predator.

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