Are You Ready for a Lion's Attack
Philadelphia Baptist Church
9/9/2007 Sun. p.m.
Are you Ready for a Lion’s Attack
1 Peter 5:8–10
verse 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Introduction: I have very unpleasant news to start out with tonight. I must inform you that each and every one of us has our own personal stalker. He walks near you constantly, watching and waiting for the right time; in fact, it’s the only thing he ever does. He wants to rip you to shreds as a lion would his prey. Worse than any serial killer or sexual predator, he desires to snuff out not only your earthly life, but your relationship with God and your eternal life. Fortunately, we have a defense laid out for us which involves both our action, and reliance upon God’s ultimate protection against the lion’s attack, that is, against the devil himself.
| Why Did Peter Use Imagery of Lions? Lions were found in Syria, Asia Minor, Greece, Mesopotamia, and even northwest India in antiquity. Besides this, in the mythology of ancient Near Eastern and in the art, lions are commonly found (Assyria, Babylon, Mesopotamia, Canaan, Egypt, and Palestine). The recipients, the majority being Jews, would have known scriptural stories and references to lions as well (i.e. Judah as the “lion,” Daniel and the lion’s den, etc.). The idea of lions in stories or real life was very real to the recipients of the letter. This verse could also be a veiled allusion to the horrors of the persecution in the Roman Coliseum by Nero, in which lions mauled and devoured Christians. Satan desired to do the same thing spiritually, to defeat believers’ testimonies. |
1. Be Sober and Alert (v. 8a). If you were drunk, how well could you defend yourself? Peter applies this principle with a command to be sober and alert. The word for sober here is well-translated. The recipients of this letter had experienced their share of drunkenness, as Peter pointed out previously (1 Pet. 4:3). The Greek word for drunkenness conveys a “fuzziness” of sight and mind. Our first defense is to see clearly and to mentally realize the battle that is around us daily.
2. Know Your Adversary: the Lion (v. 8b). Who is this enemy of ours?
A. Our Accuser. The word translated “adversary” is literally translated “anti-law-one.” In other words, Satan is portrayed as both lawless, and an opponent at law. Satan is often referred to as our accuser in Scripture (Zech. 3:1; Rev. 12:10).
B. Our Stalker. Our text teaches us that Satan, “walks about.” Remember the story of Job? In Job 1:6–7, Satan approaches God saying he has been “roaming” back and forth on the earth, and the Lord asks him if he has considered Job to test Him. We have a glimpse into the daily activity of the enemy here: He is very near.
C. Our Attacker. Satan is depicted as both a stalking lion, and a devouring lion. Have you ever watched the discovery channel, how a lion ties a napkin around his neck and gently carves his dinner? Of course not! You see graphic images of utter brutality. God, through Peter, wants to paint a vivid picture in our minds of what Satan wishes to do to our relationships, our spiritual lives, our families, and anything else. So what’s the plan?
3. Resist the Enemy Through Faith in Christ and Fellowship of Sufferings (v. 9). The word translated “resist” means both “to withstand” and “to oppose.” How can we have such boldness in the face of a ruthless predator? The verse tells us: “… steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” The ironic truth of spiritual warfare is that we must realize our weakness to harness God’s strength. We must continue placing our complete trust in Jesus Christ, and we will be “steadfast,” unshakeable!
Not only do we have power through faith in Christ, we have encouragement of others all over the world just like us. Do you ever feel attacked and think, “why me?” Guess what, it’s not just you! Peter tells us to stand firm, knowing that others all over the world stand with us under the same attack.
4. Appeal to Your Defender: the God of Grace (v. 10). We might still be frightened at this text, were it not for verse 10. Peter appeals to the ultimate Defender, as we must likewise do, in whom we place our faith. We are encouraged that:
A. He Called Us to Eternal Glory Through Jesus Christ (v. 10a). If we place our trust completely in Christ, we know that we will live with Christ throughout eternity: our enemy is temporary!
B. Our Suffering Is Temporary (v. 10b). Peter puts our lives in perspective when he says, “… after you have suffered a while.” The attacks we face, in view of eternity, are very short-lived.
C. God Himself Will Work on His Soldiers for Battle (v. 10c). Peter prays, “… may the God of all grace … perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” Let it suffice to say that God is at work sanctifying us, making us an unshakable, strong force against the enemy.
| Simeon, born about 390 to a shepherd’s family in Cilicia, was determined to escape the corruption of the world by living atop a pillar. His first column was six feet high, but soon he built higher ones until his permanent abode towered sixty feet above ground. The tiny perch wouldn’t allow for comfort, but a railing kept Simeon from falling while asleep. Simeon lived atop his pole for thirty years like a candle on a candlestick. That is the Extreme!! |
“Perfect” means to make complete. “Establish” means to enable to stand fast. “strengthen” again emphasizes strengthening. And “settle you” means to place on a firm, secure foundation.
Conclusion: Be sober and alert, stand firm in the faith, and appeal to the Defender! Even a lion could never shake such a fortress.