"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
-1 Peter 5: 8-9
Sometimes it happens when we are struggling and feeling far away from God. Sometimes the opportunity for him to sneak in occurs when we are feeling awesome.... Either way, the enemy is always looking for opportunities to work his evil into our minds and our lives. He does not have our best interest in mind, he wants to pull us away from our Lord. He has tricky ways of making evil things look very appealing to us.
I was talking to a friend recently, and he was telling me that it is sometimes when we are feeling closest to God that the devil is able to deceive us. I think that makes a lot of sense. When we are comfortable, we are not "alert" to the dangers of the devil.
In this passage of Peter, Satan is likened to a roaring lion. He is hungry and will not stop looking for ways to bring you down. He will hunt through our lives until he finds a weak spot to prey upon. And if we are running from him alone? Yes, he will certainly catch us and bring us down. But if we stand firm in our faith, we have God on our side and that makes all the difference. He is our Faithful father that loves us and He will save us.
It reminds me a lot of a scene from an awesome movie, The Lion King :-) Simba gets himself into a bad situation with the hyenas and it looks as if he and Nala will not escape alive. His father comes to save him.... take a look!
long version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGQ8PSGdfrg&playnext=1&list=PLD7DE90A98B2AB8A1&index=44
short version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x49NwjnwDUw&feature=related
Even when we disobey our Father, He will always rescue us because He loves us unconditionally. We must cling to Him and learn to obey Him so that we are not tempted by evil!
:-)
I think that verse is interesting when it says,
ReplyDeleteResist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Its like a nice reminder, saying you aren't alone, others are suffering just the same. Its easy in the midst of a struggle to forget that. We love to make it about us. When ultimately, your neighbor, friend, or someone you pass by throughout your day may be going through a similar struggle and to see you stand firm and overcome could just be the hope they need. Let God work in your struggle. After all, he's always there. I love how you put He loves us unconditionally, great reminder --so awesome! =)
I agree with April as to the reminder. Also, I never actually thought of it that Satan would be able to "get" me more easily when I am feeling comfortable. It's something to think about... I'm always quick to notice his evil when I'm having an awful time, but I'm slower to notice his wiles when things are going well. Great point.
ReplyDeleteI love the Lion King reference-- ever since being born again, I see Jesus in that movie a lot....
Thanks for commenting guys!!! I love your thoughts and insights! :)
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