Be self-controlled and
alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour.
1 Peter 5: 8
A few weeks ago a California zoo intern, Diana Hanson, was
killed by a lion. The five –hundred- fifty- pound king of the beast took one
swipe and broke the young woman’s neck. She died instantly.
She loved working with animals and had much experience with
them. However, on that morning, while talking on the phone, she let down her
guard. The lion escaped from his feeding cage. One moment of carelessness
brought disaster.
Peter calls Satan our enemy and likens him to a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour. We may think we are immune to his devious
nature, but he is always on the prowl. Like the lion at the zoo, he finds us in
our weak moments and pounces.
In jest we sometimes say, “The Devil made me do it.” God
gave us a free will and Satan can’t make
us do anything. He can and does tempt us many times and in many ways. He is the
lion waiting around the corner with an evil sneer on his face.
He knows our weaknesses. Like the mighty lion on the prowl
he attacks in our weak moments. You may be convicted about the harm in
gossiping. Then one day while having coffee with a friend a juicy tidbit pops
out of your mouth. Ever use this excuse, “We really need to pray for -----.”?
The lion can really smell a kill with Sunday morning
excuses. “I didn’t sleep well last night. I’d probably go to sleep during the
sermon.” Or this one, “The pastor is gone on a mission trip. I don’t go when
he’s not here. I don’t even know who is preaching.”
Our scripture for today tells us to be self-controlled. How
do we manage that? Paul reminded the young preacher, Timothy, The Spirit God gave us does not make us
timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
Ammunition for today:
No temptation has taken you except what
is common to mankind, and God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way
out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13 ).
Dear Father, Protect
us from the prowling lion. Help us rely on the Holy Spirit for power, love and
self-discipline to use against our enemy, Satan.
Janice Yandell
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