There is a lion outside! ∙∙

There is a lion outside! ∙∙

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

1 Peter 5:6-9

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your adversary, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
9 Resist him and be strong in your faith.

A Battle Behind Enemy Lines

During World War II, the enemies of the Western Allies were clear and well-known. Imagine yourself on D-Day, June 6, 1944, as a paratrooper dropped behind enemy lines. Every step was a fight for survival, and each victory came with a price. Many brave soldiers laid down their lives in the process.

For the children of the King, spiritual warfare is strikingly similar. Our enemy is unmistakable, and we are operating in his domain. This world is his territory, his kingdom (2 Corinthians 4:4). Like paratroopers, we have been dropped behind enemy lines and must fight for our lives with tenacious resolve to fulfill our Father’s objectives.

The Enemy and His Army

Our adversary is no small threat. He is the commander of a vast and malevolent army of evil spirits, a brilliant, evil-minded strategist with immense power. His mission is clear—to dominate, corrupt, and render the children of the King ineffective in their calling. To face this enemy, we must be aware of his plans, stay vigilant, and prepare to resist.

1 Peter 5:8 warns us to “Be sober and alert. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, on the prowl, looking for someone to devour.

The devil’s approach may vary. Sometimes, he strikes like a cunning serpent, tempting people into moral corruption. At other times, he cloaks himself in the guise of an angel of light, deceiving with the pretense of spiritual righteousness. But here, as described in Scripture, he prowls like a roaring lion, eager to terrorize the children of the King.

The Father gives us insight into His nature through the very words we call Him. The word “devil” means accuser or slanderer. “Satan” refers to him as the adversary, while “Lucifer” deceptively means bringer of light. He is constantly scheming, adapting his tactics to undermine the children of the King.

The Call to War

We must never lose sight of this truth: we are in the midst of a relentless spiritual war. No matter how calm or smooth life may seem on the surface, we are engaged in a savage war on the battlefield. This is no time for complacency or retreat. How many lives have been lost because we wrongly believed we were living in peace? The enemy’s strategy is simple yet effective—to catch us off guard. That’s why unwavering vigilance is not only important but essential.

Spiritual warfare is just as real as the battles waged on D-Day. Yet, we are never alone in this fight. Our Commander stands eternally victorious, and through His strength, we are empowered to accomplish His mission behind enemy lines.

REFLECT & PRAY

Sadly, we often think that our struggles and sufferings are unique. We frequently perceive ourselves as being alone, which leads us to feel isolated and misunderstood. This is a lie and a delusion! The Lord Jesus has been through it all.

Hebrews 4:15 states, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

Father, I acknowledge that I am often unaware of the enemy’s tactics. I wonder how many times he takes advantage of me. I struggle with incorrect thinking, unnecessary fears, and feelings of isolation. Please help me to be alert, aware, and to learn how to resist. I am in the fight of my life.

INSIGHT

The Enemy’s Tactics

Our adversary is subtle, clever, and operates with precision. It often seems as though he has an extensive intelligence network, spying out our weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and fears. He strikes us right where we are most susceptible, employing his cunning strategy to undermine our trust in the Father.

One of his favored methods of attack is through our emotions. Anger, bitterness, and the desire for revenge are powerful tools he uses to infiltrate our hearts. When we allow these harmful emotions to take root, they provide a foothold for our enemy to wreak havoc in our lives.

Ephesians 4:26-27 warns, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.”

The Battle of the Mind

The enemy’s schemes also involve planting false and erroneous thoughts into our minds. That’s why it is critical to examine our thinking. We need to align our inner dialogue with the Father’s truth as revealed in the Scriptures.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 reminds us of our weapons: “We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.”

Guarding our minds is essential. By consistently aligning our thoughts with God’s Word, we can resist the enemy’s lies and manipulations.

Maintaining Sobriety and Vigilance

Although we are not to live in fear, we are called to be sober-minded and vigilant. To be sober means to approach life with seriousness, to assess situations realistically, and to grow in understanding of Satan’s strategies (MacDonald).

The devil is a master of imitation. His strategy often includes counterfeiting whatever God does. The Parable of the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) illustrates how Satan plants counterfeits wherever God plants genuine children of the Kingdom. If we lack discernment, we might become victims of his deception.

1 John 4:1 exhorts us, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.”

Knowing God’s Word and walking in the Spirit are vital tools for detecting the enemy’s work. We are encouraged to “test the spirits” to distinguish what is true from what is false (1 John 4:1-6).

Confidence in Victory

The reality is that the devil is actively at work in the world, never resting or relenting. Yet we are not powerless.

1 John 4:4 assures us, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

This knowledge should both empower us and remind us of the importance of vigilance. The better we know the Word of God, the sharper our spiritual senses become to detect the enemy’s schemes. The battle is real. However, our victory is assured thanks to the One who has already conquered the darkness of this world. How awesome is that!

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© Dr. H 2025