1 Peter 5:8b in the New King James Bible says, “your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The Lord keeps showing me that the enemy is only “like” a lion, roaming about “seeking” someone he may devour. There are two points to ponder in this passage,
- The enemy is not a lion, only trying to be like a lion to intimidate us, and
- He is “seeking” someone whom he “may” devour.
I believe this means he is not able to devour everyone or even just anyone. There must be something different and noticeable that makes the enemy believe he could overpower and devour those he chooses. What is it about them that catches his eye and makes him believe he could win? Or maybe the question should be what is different about those he steers away from that makes him turn away? If we read the complete verse in context with the surrounding verses, we find the answer: We must not be proud and we must cast all of our cares (worries) upon the Lord and resist the enemy (devil) in faith.
I like how it is written in the Amplified Bible:
1 Peter 5:5-10 (AMP)
5 Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.
6 Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,
7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
Once again we are told by the Lord if die to our self (die to pride and surrender our life to Him), lay our cares at His feet (trust Him), and stand firm in our faith, we will be established and strengthened by the Lord. He resists those who are proud and welcomes with open arms those who have a broken heart for Him. It is those who the Lord resists that the enemy seeks after to seize upon and devour. We must surrender our hearts daily (perhaps even hourly) to the Lord to be sure we will stand strong against all attacks of the enemy.
Just because the enemy may not devour you does not mean he will not take a “taste” out of you once and awhile, just to see how you taste (how you will react). Be strong in the faith and resist the devil by surrendering to Jesus Christ daily. Be willing to do whatever the Lord directs and lay down your own desires, wants, and emotions. We must count the cost of following Christ daily and not allow the “bite” taken by enemy once and awhile to stop or detour us from fulfilling the call of Christ.
We are to be the “mirror” of Christ for the world to see. Who are we reflecting today?
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