The Lion's Roar

A male lion puts his head up, opens his mouth, and a terrifying sound comes out – the lion’s roar. It’s a sound designed to intimidate, a declaration of territorial control. A lion on the prowl is actually more dangerous, stealthily creeping up on her prey.   

The Bible reminds Christians that we have an adversary who noisily works to intimidate us and who is on the prowl, looking for a way to attack.  "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Peter 5:8-10, NIV)  

Take special note of what the Spirit says about meeting his approach. First, we need self-control. When the devil’s roar greets us, it is natural to tremble. The urge to run off in any direction will follow. I know the feeling of panic that follows an encounter with evil.  In that moment, the Word tells to take charge of our emotions.  Having taken control, we must bring ourselves to full alert.  We need to become aware of the situation, evaluating what is going on.  So many have fallen prey to the evil one because they allowed themselves to be apathetic, or to feel a false sense of security. “I could never fall for that temptation,” they say proudly, unaware of the places where the boundaries have been breached. 

Next, the Word says, “Resist him.”  The devil is a powerful foe, to be sure.  But, he is also a defeated foe.  Christ Jesus broke his hold over us.  In the graphic prose of the Revelation, we are told that "The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray." (Revelation 12:9, NIV)  Some Christians think that resisting him requires a shouting match with him.  Our resistance has nothing to do with our strength.  He is not intimidated by us, but by the One who stands alongside of us.  “Stand firm in the faith,” we are told.  We take a cue from Jesus when He encountered the Devil. He presented his foe with the Truth of Scripture; and so must we.

Peter does not promise us that the encounter will leave us untouched!  A round with the roaring lion may well bring some suffering. We are engaged in a war. A war brings injuries; but for those who are in Christ these are not fatal. Gordon MacDonald says that those who have been wounded soldiers learn about the importance of being part of an army, knowing the critical need for healing. “For them spiritual warfare is no longer a cliché; it’s a reality. And they need grace-driven stretcher-bearers, healers, and cheerleaders who believe not only in spiritual warfare but restoration and are committed to getting them back up to fight again.” Discipleship Journal: Issue 81. 1999

Ultimately, we have this assurance – Christ’s purpose will stand and we will win.  Here’s the Word. Meet the roaring lion with the Truth.
"This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:3-5, NIV)

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