Did you Know Life came with "Cheat Sheets? You have a Blueprint for Every Battle in Your Life.

How incredible is it that God, through His Word, always provides us with a heads up! Think about those times when a friend calls you and says, "Hey, I wanted to let you know that something is coming your way," and they give you a heads up. Don't you just love that? Well, God is the ultimate friend, always making us pre-aware of situations we need to prepare for. In the passage of 1 Peter 5:8, we receive a clear warning ahead of time, allowing us to be ready for the spiritual challenges that may come our way:

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."

God's love for us is evident in His clear warning within this concise scripture. It's a testament to His care that He doesn't leave us without guidance. Often, we tend to attribute our sins and mistakes to God, but the truth is, we should be using His Word as a mirror and removing out of our lives the things that create problems and chaos that God warned us about.

"Be sober": Peter urges believers to embody sobriety both physically and spiritually. Being spiritually sober in the Word not only mirrors the clarity and focus attained by abstaining from alcohol but also signifies steering clear of the intoxication that comes from embracing various teachings or traditions that deviate from God's truth.

Just as sobriety from alcohol brings about a clear mind and thoughtful decisions, being spiritually sober ensures that our understanding of God's teachings remains untainted by the intoxicating influences of false doctrines and distractions.  

"Be vigilant" Being vigilant in a physical sense involves staying watchful and attentive to potential dangers, much like a vigilant guard on duty. Symbolically, this vigilant stance is mirrored in our spiritual life by remaining alert to the subtle deceptions and challenges that may arise. Just as a vigilant guard is always prepared for unexpected threats, spiritual vigilance means staying rooted in God's Word and ready to discern and address any spiritual challenges that may come our way. It's a dual commitment – both a physical watchfulness and a spiritual readiness to uphold our faith and protect our spiritual well-being.

"as a roaring lion, walketh about": The comparison to a roaring lion portrays Satan's tactics. Like a lion in the wild, he seeks to instill fear and intimidation through his deceptive strategies. The use of 'as' signifies Satan's attempt to deceive by suggesting a resemblance, implying that he should be feard by man, as a roaring lion. A roaring lion is much more intimadting than a sleeping lion.

The key here is to define the use of 'as' – much like how a knock-off brand tries to imitate a genuine product (e.g., Nike), but falls short in value and performance.  Same tactic.  

Isn't it true that everyone proudly displays the authentic Nike while feeling embarrassed about the imitation? Consider yourself fortunate that God freely offers Himself – the genuine article. He is the original and exclusive God, whereas Satan is the knock-off, inferior, low-quality imitation pretending to be on par with something beyond comparison.

The devil, though not possessing the true power of a roaring lion, mimics its tactics to create fear. God provides insight into Satan's strategies, revealing them as twisted imitations of the authentic truth is not a literal lion but employs similar methods to create a sense of a real threat. The devil is always a liar, as written in John 8:44, (KJV):

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

"seeking whom he may devour": The purpose of Satan's prowling is to find individuals he can devour or destroy. This underscores the predatory nature of spiritual attacks. The phrase "seeking whom he may devour" implies that the devil looks for a specific type of person – one who grants him the opportunity to devour. The use of "may" indicates that the choice is, in fact, ours.

God is explicitly showing us that we have the option to either allow or resist the devil's devouring. The question then becomes, how do we allow such devouring?

The devil gains a legal foothold into our precious lives when we harbor bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts (Ephesians 4:31-32). He finds an opening when anger is left unresolved, providing an opportunity for him to work in our lives (Ephesians 4:26-27). Allowing dishonesty and deceit to persist creates a foothold for the devil to exploit (Proverbs 6:16-19).

When we entertain thoughts of doubt and unbelief, it opens the door for the devil to gain influence (James 1:6-8). The devil seizes an opportunity when we yield to the temptation of lust and immoral desires (James 1:14-15). Giving in to fear instead of trusting in God can be a foothold for the devil (2 Timothy 1:7). Allowing pride and arrogance to take root provides a foothold for the devil's influence (Proverbs 16:18). When we neglect regular fellowship with other believers, it can create vulnerability to the devil's schemes (Hebrews 10:24-25). Engaging in ungodly entertainment and media can contribute to a foothold for the devil (Philippians 4:8). Letting the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches take precedence can give the devil a foothold (Matthew 13:22).

God assures you that there's no necessity to endure the torment of fear that the devil presents. It becomes challenging for believers when our focus shifts from Jesus to oneself, spouse, child, circumstance, emotions, all of which can lead to heightened anxiety. Acknowledging that yielding to the devil's narrative brings instability, we counter it by casting down every deceitful report and lie that attempts to elevate itself above the truth found in Jesus.

If you focus on what the enemy is presenting and saying, anxiety will manifest. Fear is the fruit and power of the Kingdom of Satan, while faith is the fruit and power of the Kingdom of God. Even as a child of God, living like a child of the world is possible when we heed voices that lack the truth of God's Word. What has God told you in His Word?

~You are a child of the Most High God.

~No weapons formed against you will prosper.

~You are the head, not the tail. You are above, not beneath. (financial promise)

~You have the Power of Holy Spirit living in You.

~God will restore you to health and heal your wounds.

~God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

~Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

~God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

~Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

~Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight

~God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

My friend! Can you not perceive the multitude of insights God has graciously provided us?

His love extends to giving us a preview of what lies ahead, offering guidance on what to anticipate, and imparting the skills to navigate the battlefield of life with triumph!

Why on Earth would you not immerse yourself in the Word of God as much as possible, acquainting yourself with this magnificent God we serve? He has equipped us with everything we need to comprehend. Ignorance is unmistakable when you find yourself attributing blame to God, neighbors, friends, bosses, or even the devil.

Now, you are aware that God, in His love, forewarned you about every conceivable challenge and the strategies of the devil, ensuring we are not uninformed about his schemes. 

Dive into the Word, for it serves as your map on the battlefield of life. No excuses! As you navigate through the pages of Scripture, remember the words of Matthew 7:7 (KJV),

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

If you've lost your passion, simply ask God for a renewed zeal for His Word. Remember, you must ask to receive. So, my friend, go ahead, ask in faith, grab the Word, and be prepared for that passion to be rekindled as you read once again. If you need a bible there are plenty of online sources.

Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2023. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source. Artwork included.