Prowling Lion
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1 Peter 5:8-9
My wife and I love the TV Series, Stranger Things. It’s weird, because we don’t like horror movies at all. But there’s just something really great about this show (probably the 80’s, 90’s nostalgia).
The premise of the series is that there is another dimension. An upside down version of our own and it’s not pleasant. It’s a secular take on hell really. And it’s a reminder that the Biblical description of a spiritual realm populated by demons and yes even a ‘demon Lord’ named Satan remains in the social imaginary.
For some it’s really hard to believe that there is a ‘Satan’ (which means adversary or enemy) prowling around looking to devour and destroy. For others, they believe wholeheartedly that there is.
The Bible seems really clear that there is such a being and that we are to be mindful of him. Be alert and of sober mind. However, I don’t think this means looking for demons or ghosts. How does Satan work? Well, consider Judas or even what’s happening in 1 Peter. It’s through people.
How might Satan use people to bring about your downfall? Well, maybe by leading them to write a book - say about how the Bible is made up. Or maybe by making a law - that causes following Christ to be more difficult. Or maybe by making you wealthy - so that you would be drawn to idolatry rather than God.
Either way, we’re to be sober and alert. How might Satan be tempting you away from God and toward destruction? It’s probably more subtle than you think.
Today:
Pray:
1 Peter 5:8-9
My wife and I love the TV Series, Stranger Things. It’s weird, because we don’t like horror movies at all. But there’s just something really great about this show (probably the 80’s, 90’s nostalgia).
The premise of the series is that there is another dimension. An upside down version of our own and it’s not pleasant. It’s a secular take on hell really. And it’s a reminder that the Biblical description of a spiritual realm populated by demons and yes even a ‘demon Lord’ named Satan remains in the social imaginary.
For some it’s really hard to believe that there is a ‘Satan’ (which means adversary or enemy) prowling around looking to devour and destroy. For others, they believe wholeheartedly that there is.
The Bible seems really clear that there is such a being and that we are to be mindful of him. Be alert and of sober mind. However, I don’t think this means looking for demons or ghosts. How does Satan work? Well, consider Judas or even what’s happening in 1 Peter. It’s through people.
How might Satan use people to bring about your downfall? Well, maybe by leading them to write a book - say about how the Bible is made up. Or maybe by making a law - that causes following Christ to be more difficult. Or maybe by making you wealthy - so that you would be drawn to idolatry rather than God.
Either way, we’re to be sober and alert. How might Satan be tempting you away from God and toward destruction? It’s probably more subtle than you think.
Today:
- Consider how Satan has tried to tempt you in the past.
- How might he be tempting you right now away from God?
- How might you resist him and stand firm in your faith? What’s one thing you could do?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that he is sovereign over evil and the evil one.
- Give thanks for Jesus who defanged Satan at the cross.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others resist the enemy and cling to Jesus.
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