Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-11 (AMP)
8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
11 To Him be the dominion (power, authority, rule) forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
The enemy IS NOT a lion…but takes on characteristics and appearance of a lion to put the spirit of fear on us…
Let’s examine verse 8 again…
8 Be of sober {spirit,} be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in {your} faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. (NAS)
Introduction Quote from Billy Graham. He said, “I believe in the devil for three reasons:
1. The Bible plainly says he exists.
2. I see his work everywhere.
3. Great scholars have recognized his existence.”
• Many people think that dealing with evil/Satan requires some deep level of knowledge and super-spirituality
• Many people think dealing with the enemy involves a long, labored struggle
JESUS identifies Satan as “the father of lies”, and “the master of deceit”
IT IS THE TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD THAT DISPELS ALL DARKNESS AND EXPELS THE LIES…WE MUST USE THE WORD AGAINST HIM TO SUCCESSFULLY FIGHT THE ENEMY. THE DEVIS IS A LIAR!!!
Dealing with AND SLAYING A Lying Lion Calls for Sobriety in The Spirit, Awareness, Alertness, and Assurance AND FAITH IN GOD’S WORD.
1. Sober Awareness. v 8 a
________________________________________
NAS Be of sober {spirit,}. . ." KJV Be sober, . . . " NIV Be self-controlled . . . " TLB Be careful. . . "
Illustration
A little kid said no I don’t believe there is a devil.
The devil has tricked a whole lot of people into thinking he is some kind of imaginary character.
A. Sober Awareness of the Devils Methods.
1. He Loves Weakness..
a. A Lion always attacks the weakest of the Flock.
b. A Lion will attack at your weakest Point.
c. Pride will destroy us – Prov. 16:18 (NAS)
18 Pride {goes} before a destruction, and a haughty spirit before a stumbling.
d. No Sheep ever killed a Lion – The Good SHEPHERD has and will continue through THE WORD OF GOD (it IS THE WEAPON in SPIRITUAL WARFARE WITH putting on and keeping on The WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD AND IT IS Jesus working through THE Shepherd/SHEPHERDESS (pastors) duty, responsibility and POSITION TO EQUIP, INSTRUCT, AND PUT THAT WARFARE INTO MOTION AS THE SHEEP PUT ON AND LEARN TO USE THAT ARMOR) that you may be able to stand against Him. NOT THAT YOU BE LEAD TO SLAUGHTER----
Ephesians 6:11-18
11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms (principalities), against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. [Isa. 52:7.]
16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.
18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
Illustration
Achilles was a great warrior in Greek mythology. His mother dipped him in the magical river Styx shortly after he was born, holding him by his heel. This made him a nearly invincible warrior, but he had a secret weakness. In the battle of Troy, Apollo, knowing of his vulnerable spot, directed an archer to aim for his heel. The arrow hit the spot, and Achilles died from the wound.
Satan will tempt at Our Most Vulnerable Spot: Satan Will Find Your Achilles’ Heel --
2. He Loves Darkness..
(In an article on Lions of Darkness Aug., 1994, pg. 42. by Dereck and Beverly Joubert. )
a. Lions have learned that too much moonlight makes their hunting less successful. Perhaps they
become too visible to their prey..."
b. Satan can’t do much either when the light of God’s word is used.
David said Ps 119:11 (NAS)
11 Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee.
B. Sober Awareness of the Devils . . Motivations.
1. He uses three basic Motivators. I John 2:16
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (NAS)
a. Lust of the flesh
b. Lust of the Eyes
c. Boastful Pride of Life.
Illustration
A well-paid, recently-promoted young executive dreamed he died and stood at the Pearly Gates. Peter asks: "Do you want to go to heaven or to hell?"
"Let me know my options," he says. "Show me hell." Up pops a giant screen with a video playing. Girls in bikinis and well-built guys are playing volleyball on the beach. Coolers are iced down with beer. Everybody is wearing brand-name clothes and driving a BMW.
Then he asks for a glimpse of heaven, only to notice that the video is still running. It pans upward and shows a park filled with old people sitting on benches feeding the birds and playing checkers -- with angels singing in the background.
"Uh, very nice," the guy mutters, "but I think I prefer hell." Immediately he is plunged into molten lava! In agonizing pain, he hollers at Peter. "Hey, where’s the beach and the babes? What about the beer and cars?"
"Sorry," he says. "What you saw was the demo tape sent up by Satan."
THE DEVIL IS A LIAR!!!!!
Application
This story illustrates one who was not Aware of the Devils Methods or Motivations.
2. Sensible . . Alertness. v 8 b
________________________________________
v 8 b NASB ". . . be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
v 8 b KJV ". . . be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
v 8 b KJV " . . . and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
v 8 b TLB " . . . watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart
Introduction
What’s the difference between being aware and being alert? My wife Christ knew I was in the house last night but she was engrossed in reading. When I came down the hall way into the room where she was and said honey she almost jumped out of her skin. She was aware but not alert.
A. Sensible . . Alertness of the Devil’s Purpose.
". . . be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil,
1. Adversary, enemy, opponent, tempter, thief (steal), murder (kill), and he seeks to destroy all that is good – anything of GOD
B. Sensible . . Alertness of the Devils . . Prowling.
". . . prowls about like a roaring lion,.
to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary):
KJV-- go, be occupied with, walk (about).
Satan wants all of us and sifts us all Luke 22:31
31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded {permission} to sift you like wheat; (NAS)
---weed us out!
C. Sensible . . Alertness of the Devils . . Pursuit.
":. . . seeking someone to devour."
[Whom he may devour] drink down, rid himself of by eating
1 Cor 15:54
54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory.
The word devour is a term that refers to an animal killing its prey. That is exactly how Satan kills his prey by devouring the prey. A lion can eat 30% of its own body Weight in one sitting. That would be similar to a 150 pound man eating about 200 Big Macs.
Illustration #1
Watching the documentaries of wildlife seems to illustrate a portion of that. The predator (lion) stalks the herd and finally, although they all know he is out there, a lone animal wanders away. The sense of
danger becomes acute and the animal suddenly understands he is out of the protection of the herd. His security is gone. His response is to run as fast and as hard as he can, but he often runs right into the very
danger he is attempting to escape. Why? because he has no security and the running has no direction. Running + No security = panic = lunch for the lion.
Now consider the herd and the animals that do not leave the herd. First of all, the lion knows he cannot attack the herd. It is too strong. Second, the herd knows they have the combined strength to ward off
any attack. Third, since they have a sense of real security, they gather to protect the little ones. They don’t run in fear, but stand firm in their security and safety.
To me, this is a good illustration of many truths, but it shows the need for the security of the only sure and safe protection from things that would seek to bring destruction into our lives. We have the Opportunity to stand strong and secure in the herd (the church and the power of the Holy Spirit)
or we can wander off alone and be picked off.
The herd stands together because it is their instinct. The children of God have the Holy Spirit prompting them (instinctive to follow Him) to stand together and depend on the power of God’s love in Christ.
We Need to reach out to those on their way to being devoured.
3. Strong . . Assurance. v 9
________________________________________
9 But resist him, firm in {your} faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. NAS
A. In Strong Assurance We . . Resist the Devil.
1. Resist with Assurance from your ... Faith. v 9 a
". . . firm in {your} faith, . . . "
2. Resist with Assurance from your ... Fellows. v 9 b
". . . by your brethren who are in the world."
Dealing with the devil
• PRAY
• PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
• REALIZE YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST JESUS
• RELY/TRUST ON JESUS NAME AND THE POWER IN HIS BLOOD
HIS NAME IS SUPREME AND SUFFICIENT
• TRUST AND BELIEVE GOD’S WORD AS A WEAPON (SWORD)
• REMOVE THE GROUND OF OPPRESSION
• RELEASE AND DELIVERANCE
(DOORS THAT ARE OPEN TO ENEMY INFLUENCE MUST BE SHUT AND GROUND RECLAIMED!)
THEN AND ONLY WHEN WE ALLOW THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT TO BE USED IN OUR BEHALF – AS WE SUBMIT TO GOD, WE CAN EXPECT TOTAL TRIUMPH AND VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY!
MUST BE IN UNITY AS A FELLOWSHIP!
JAMES 3:13-16
FOR WHERE YOU HAVE ENVY AND SELFISH AMBITION AND STRIFE, THERE YOU FIND DISORDER AND EVERY EVIL PRACTICE~
Conclusion
The great News Is this: The Lying Lion is not really a Lion he only imitates a lion. He prowls like a lion and he roars like a ion but he is not a lion.
We do have a Lion
Rev 5:5
5 and one of the elders said to me, "Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals." (NAS)
THE ARMY OF THE MOST HIGH GOD!
WHAT A DAY TO BE ON THE LORD’S SIDE!
HE IS RAISING UP A HOLY ARMY!
HE IS GIVING HIS SOLDIERS THEIR ASSIGNMENTS
***SOME SPIRITUAL WARRIORS, INTERCESSORS, PASTORS, TEACHERS, TENT MAKERS, COUNSELORS, MISSIONARIES, AND THE LIST GOES ON.
EVERYONE HAS A PLACE ON THE LORD’S SIDE OF THE BATTLE!
YOU MAY KNOW YOUR ROLE – PRAY FOR GOD’S ANOINTING POWER TO FULFILL IT
OR YOU MAY NOT KNOW YOUR ROLE – ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU YOUR PLACE IN HIS WORK AND HELP YOU FULFILL IT
WE ARE IN A BATTLE FOR THE ETERNAL DESTINY OF PEOPLE!
LET’S TAKE THE BATTLE SERIOUSLY!
Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
