1 Peter 5:8-9, Dealing with the Devil

Lions are one of the most formidable beasts on earth, and when they are claiming their hunting territory, they roar with a most formidable roar. They consume large amounts of meat daily. Peter sees Satan as formidable enemy of the believer, very lion-like and dangerous, but who may be resisted in faith.

⁸ Be sober minded and alert. Your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, is walking around seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Put up resistance to him solid in faith, because you know these same sufferings are being undergone by the Christian family throughout the world.

How many of us are on the constant lookout, sober minded and alert, for our adversary, the one who opposes God and thus opposes us? When lions are on the hunt, they are stealthy. And Satan does not usually come at us frontally, in plain sight, but is crafty (wily and scheming, Ephesians 6:11). It has been rightly said that Satan’s guise is partial truth. All the best heresies have had a partial truth that lures in those not alert.

Satan’s ploys always suggest that he is doing something for our benefit, to improve our lot, to give us an advantage, to bless us. He told Jesus,

I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours. (Luke 4:6,7)

In the end, it only benefits Satan. We are a meal for him, someone to devour.

But we can resist him with a faith that is solid and firm. And it is our responsibility to do so. Persecution is always Satanically motivated and resisting in solid faith means holding to our profession of Christ and to our hope, instead of caving to denial of Christ. We’re not the only ones suffering persecution. It is the lot of all believers around the world.