Sober and Steadfast in Faith

Commonly quoted verses of the Bible sometimes stop short of important information and personal application, and I was reminded of this during a recent Bible study.  The speaker described how predators seek out easy prey that are isolated from the protection of the herd, ones that are young, old or injured.  He likened the one isolated from the pack as the Christian who is too self-conscious or embarrassed to confess their sin, isolated by their own pride.  Such a one may gather with believers on a Sunday or lead a Bible study and have many friends, yet they can foolishly go it alone in their struggle in sin.  "The devil is in the grey areas," he said.

I took the liberty of looking up the verse that describes Satan as a lion prowling about looking for prey in 1 Peter 5:8:  "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."  This is the passage many Christians are familiar with.  In the King James Version of the Bible, however, this verse does not end with a period but a colon.  Our proper response to this revelation is outlined in the following verse in 1 Peter 5:9:  "Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."  Verse 8 is not intended to strike fear into your heart that Satan is like a lion because verse 9 says we are not called to flee from him but stand steadfast in the faith of Jesus.  Fleeing is a prey response that triggers the predatory instinct to pounce and pursue.  We cannot outrun temptation; we cannot overpower the devil in our flesh.

Having been born again by faith in Jesus Christ, we are given strength and wisdom to resist Satan as we remain steadfast in the faith as Jesus keeps us.  We can take comfort that we are not alone in our struggles, whether it is being overtaken in a trespass, temptation to sin or trials that result in suffering.  Peter explained believers are a brotherhood in the world, the flock of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd Who protects, guides, corrects and comforts us.  The only time we are on our own is when we stray from the Good Shepherd and fellowship with believers, ignoring the conviction of our conscience and choosing to isolate ourselves in our pride and self-reliance.  This is when we are most vulnerable and open to attack.  But God be praised:  though we do have an adversary who seeks to devour, we have a Saviour who seeks to save and deliver.  Like Daniel in the lion's den, God has the power to shut the mouths of lions so we are unhurt, our lives a testimony of God's presence and protection.