SPIRITUAL VITAMIN DEVOTIONAL

SELF-CONTROLLED AND ALERT

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
~1 Peter 5:8

Why does God use a lion to describe the enemy? A lion is a predator. He does not fear man or other animals. He is fierce, fearless and frightening. A lion will crouch under cover ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey. He prowls, he stalks and he trails his prey. He goes after the weak - the young, the elderly, the sick and the ones straggling behind or separated from the herd. In other words, he stalks the lonely and defenseless.

Lions are flesh eating cats. It is no accident that God describes sin as our "flesh". It is when we are walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit, that we are more susceptible to the enemy. The enemy knows the smell of our sin, our flesh. In Genesis, God told Cain ".if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

Are you walking in the flesh? Have you separated yourself from the body of Christ? Are your defenses down? If so, you are easy prey. The enemy comes to kill, to steel and destroy. He wants to kill your dreams, steel your joy and destroy your life and the lives of your loved ones. He is actively looking for someone to devour.

God tells us to be self-controlled and alert. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The key to self-control is walking in the Spirit. If you live by the Spirit you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. A lion perishes for lack of prey.

The enemy goes about "like" a lion. He is a copy cat (no pun intended). The good news is that Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is the King of the Universe. Be alert. Stay close to your King, crucify the flesh, walk in the Spirit and fellowship with other Believers who will watch and pray with you.

Prayer:
Father, forgive me when I walk in the flesh. Help me to live and walk in the Spirit, so that I will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Help me to stay connected to you and the body of Christ through Bible study, fellowship, prayer, worship and serving you. Thank you Lord that you live in me through the Holy Spirit and that you are greater than he who is in this world. You are the Lion of the tribe of Judah. You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and I choose to walk in the Spirit with you daily. Amen.

Return to Archives

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE
SPIRITUAL VITAMIN DEVOTIONAL