Resist or be Devoured

Resist or be Devoured

1 Peter 5:8

I.          THE WARNING UNTO SOBRIETY AND VIGILANCE.

            A.        The effectual actions of the informed believer.

                        1) Be sober  (See Eph. 5:18)

                        2) Be vigilant

            B.         The object to which we are warned of.

                        Satan

                                    1) the Adversary

                                    2) the Devil

            C.        The reason for the warning.

                        He seeks to devour you!

                        Jesus said to Peter, “Satan hath desired to sift you as wheat.”

II.        THE STRENGTH OF THE ANALOGY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF IT’S MESSAGE.

Biblical analogies or examples are never intended to produce obscurity, but to enforce and cause those with understanding, a deeper appreciation for what is being taught.

            A.        The analogy explained.

1) Satan is said to be a roaring lion.

(See Job 4:10-11. There are five different Hebrew words used for each of the five English uses of the word lion in these two verses.)

                        2) Ready to devour.

            B.         The meaning of the analogy.

                        1) Gender has nothing to do with the interpretation of this analogy.

2) Picture a fierce hungry lion or lioness (both hunt out of the pride) ready to pounce on the unsuspecting prey, who foolishly passes to close to the edge of danger.

3) When we are intoxicated with the sin of the world, we are never vigilant to the enemy’s lurking. We may escape for a time, but sooner or later, this constant intoxication will be the end of us, for Satan will devour us!