Watch Out!

1 Peter 5:8,9

Recently when Vickie and I were at The Cove in Asheville we saw something that we had never seen in our twelve years of going on our winter retreat. We Saw A Bear!!! It was walking up the sidewalk, nonchalantly like it owned the place. It just so happens that we were fixing to walk on that same sidewalk to go to the evening meal. As we came out of the exit, the first thing we did was peer around to see if the bear was still there or had moved on. Fortunately, it moved on, but every time we went out afterwards, we looked for the bear!

This experience reminds me of a passage of scripture in 1 Peter 5:8.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ESV

Just like we were on the lookout for the bear we, as Christians, have to be on the look for the devil. We all know that in every turn in life there are challenges and temptations that confront us. Some are pretty obvious but then there are some that are not so obvious, and we have to be on our spiritual P’s and Q’s. The devil is very subtle, and Paul writes to the Corinthians to “Be aware of satans devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)

Peter not only says to Be aware, but also to Be ready to resist. (Verse 9) Sometimes his attacks do catch us off guard and we find ourselves under the brutal assault of our adversary. So, what is our defense and method of overcoming? There are three things.

Revelation 12:11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

The blood of the lamb secures our Forgiveness. The word of our testimony sustains our Sanctification. Loving not our lives unto death strengthens our Hope since death has no sting and the grave has no victory.

Be watchful and be ready! These are two critical attitudes for every “Be"-liever!

Pastor Robby