"Be Sober, Be Vigilant"

I Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

Have you ever noticed the times when it seems like everyone in the church is going through a hard time? You can’t quite put your finger on it, but something is definitely not right.


In medical terms this is called, “Malaise”: A feeling of discomfort, one that cannot be pinned down but is often sensed as, "just not right".

I've noticed it many times before and especially after, special meetings such as, family camp and revival services... I think we've come to expect those times and realize that God is doing something good and the devil doesn’t like it.

But... what about everyday life and times we don’t expect it? I Peter 5:8 is a great warning for us. I don’t see a time limit in this verse like... “watch out before special meetings because our adversary will be out seeking those he can devour”. The only instructions we have are to “be sober” and “vigilant”. It sounds like an every day way of life, kind of thing to me.

As we see here, the Bible describes the Devil as a “roaring lion”. Many times we as Christians are described as sheep and sheep are known as prey. That is why we have to be sober and vigilant and on the constant look out. That's what vigilant means.

Not only are we to be looking out for... "just us four and no more", but... those sitting around us in the next pew too. We have to be sensitive and concerned enough to protect the weak and sick who don’t have the strength to keep going, and the young and inexperienced sheep that maybe don’t understand the ways of our adversary.

Just out of curiosity, I read about the lions’ hunting techniques. I'll share a little of what I read.

“Lions are known for their speed which can reach 40 mph. However they do not have high endurance levels. A lionesses’ kills must be well planned. When females are hunting in a group, they utilize their stealth to stalk prey as closely as possible. Once they close in on a herd, it is then they choose the closest and easiest prey. Thus their attack is a short burst of immense energy. They surround the herd and work together to isolate and kill.”

I thought this was interesting. When I think about it in a spiritual sense, I can see how this works.

The devil knows us better than we think. He's been watching humans for thousands of years. His workers know the signs of a weak prey! Too bad we are not more discerning to see this. They know how to push the right buttons to cause divisions. Satan’s workers know how to use words and actions to make some people feel isolated.

It's the devil’s job to wear out the saints of God. But... we can’t let him win! Our God is greater!

One thing that was encouraging to me about the lion is that it has little endurance. The attacks may be hard and intense but... they won’t last forever.

The Bible tells us to “resist the devil and he will flee.” James 4:7

There are things we can do for protection. Our Gentle Shepherd has given us help in His Word.
My favorite idea is to just shoot the lion in the head and kill it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But... the Bible says in Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole amour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

We have had armor given to us by God! We must use it to guard our heart, (Proverbs 6:23) and guard our mind ( Philippians 4:8).

We have to have the right mind set. Philippians 4:8 helps us to know what kind of thoughts will help us defeat our enemy.

Just know that if the Devil can defeat us in our mind….we are done!

Oh... and one other thing. What ever you do, precious sheep, don’t pull away or wander from the herd. It's not safe at all!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe unto him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”

We really do need each other.

I just love ewe! .....Dianne