Something that comes up in the Bible on several different occasions is the importance of being alert. One of the reasons for that alertness is spelled out quite clearly by the apostle Peter: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Imagine a hungry lion about to pounce as soon as his prey isn’t paying attention. Now imagine that the prey is you!

You’re right. That’s an alarming image. And I believe it’s alarming on purpose.

Neil T. Anderson and Timothy Warner write: “mental passivity is not only poor stewardship of the minds God has given to us; it is also one of the most dangerous things we can do, spiritually. It opens us up to Satan’s deception.”*

Being alert means being intentional about what you say and how you live; about what you mentally ingest and what you mentally expunge; about being guided by Jesus and not led astray; and about guarding against the pride and arrogance which pave the way for personal and moral disaster. It’s no coincidence that Peter’s word about alertness is immediately preceded by three reminders to be humble.

Brothers and sisters, be alert and of sober mind. Stand humbly and securely in Jesus. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Don’t let it be you.

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Notes: 

–“The truth makes your life better.” That’s the sermon from September 4, 2022 and it is thematically connected to today’s devotional. Click here.

–*Neil T. Anderson and Timothy M. Warner, The Essential Guide to Spiritual Warfare (Minneapolis: BethanyHouse, 2000), 33.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.