Week 5 - Totally Off Guard

1 Peter 5:8

Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

I grew up in a comparatively rough neighborhood for the rural northern plains.  Drugs were readily available and violent crimes such as rape and even murder were part of my neighborhood's legacy.  Still, the day I was attacked while out for a walk took me totally off guard.

It was the beginning of another beautiful summer day when I was approached by the neighborhood paper boy. We knew each other well.  We had played softball together for years.  His mother often watched my sister and me while my parents worked.  We had pretty much grown up together.  So you can imagine my surprise when he approached me armed with a rolled up newspaper in each hand and began to beat the living tar out of me!  From the way I felt by the time he had finished with me, I would have to say it must have been a Sunday.

Fortunately the attack was short lived and aside from several scrapes and bruises, I'd recover.  As for my pride, well that took the longest to heal.  I felt so humiliated and ashamed.  It was as if I thought it was all somehow my own fault.  As if somehow I should have seen it coming.  What's worse is that even to this day, I have no idea why he attacked me.

In 1 Peter 5:8 we are told of another enemy.  Satan is described in this passage as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, someone like you and I.  How much do you know about this formidable foe?  Will you be prepared the next time he attacks?  Here are some facts you should know.  He has never been equal to or more powerful than God.  He was created by God along with the other angels.  Pride was his downfall.  Even though he may be "prince of this world", it is only by divine, permissive will and to accomplish God's own purposes.  He is not

Omnipresent like God; he can only be in one place at one time.  He is the father of every deception; it is his primary tool against believers along with doubt, shame, fear and blame.  His main objective is to make the clean feel unclean.  You see, he already knows there's nothing he can do about our eternal destiny.  Christ made the way for us by His sacrifice on the cross and the matter was settled the moment we believed.  So what does he have to gain by attacking us?  He can destroy our testimony and prevent us from reaching out to others for Christ.  In our daily walk, we need to stay focused on the truth, put on the full armor of God and seek God's help.  If we can do that, we will never be caught totally off guard.

~Up Close and Personal~

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? 

Have you ever been caught off guard by the evil acts of someone you viewed as basically a good person? 

So often, we try to view life in black in white.  We don’t expect someone who appears to be kind and good to be capable of causing us any harm.  On the flip side of that, we often judge others unfairly if their appearance doesn’t fit our idea of what a good person should look like.  If Satan’s primary tool is deception, we may have to dig a little deeper than outward appearances to have discernment in our relationships.  Matthew 7:16 states “By their fruit you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?”  This is a clear indication that whatever is in someone’s heart, is reflected in how they choose to live and the fruits of their labor. 

Does it make you uncomfortable to learn about the enemy and his ways?

Our goal here is to gain an understanding of the truth.  It is necessary in order to protect ourselves from the enemy’s attacks.  Since he is the master of all deception, we certainly don’t want to make his job any easier. Understanding who he is and his tactics will not only protect us from others with ill intent, it will prevent us from allowing Satan to use us to hurt others. 

~Name It~

Read 1 Peter 5:8 aloud.

What are we advised to do in this scripture?

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  While it is true that Satan has no power over you of his own.  Our ignorance to his schemes could lead us to unknowingly giving him the power he seeks.  The last thing we want to do is cooperate with him!  It’s also important to understand that as we draw nearer to God and seek to do His will, we become more of a target for the enemy because he has more to lose from the effective life of a person who loves and serves God. 

How is Satan described in the second portion of this scripture?

Just as a lion on the hunt will single out the weak, he will pursue you when you are at your weakest.  This truth is not meant to fill you with fear.  It is meant to help you understand the importance of maintaining a close relationship with your Father in Heaven.  He will provide us all the protection we need.

~Claim It~

Dear Heavenly Father, as I look back over my life, I can see how many times Satan has hit his mark with me.  I have struggled with so much false shame.  Father, I pray that you would help me see the truth in all things.  Help me understand who I am.  Allow me to see through Satan’s lies.  Help me to trust you and your word.  Give me discernment in all my relationships so that they will honor and glorify you. 

In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.