Peter admonishes us to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Will that someone be you? Will it be me? If we’re not paying attention it will be.
Peter reminds us to be on the lookout for the temptations and tricks of Satan. He says the devil is on the hunt constantly, searching for opportunities to pounce on someone and devour them. Peter of all people would know this work of Satan as he himself was pounced upon suddenly when he denied the Lord.
Satan has worked this way from the very beginning and men have always had to be on the alert. Notice what Jehovah God told Cain when he became angry because he did not do what was pleasing to God: “The LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it'” (Genesis 4:6-7). God told Cain that he was giving prime opportunity for Satan to have his way with him; sin was “crouching at the door,” waiting for Cain to open it up. But God told him that he had to “rule over it,” overcome it, not allow himself to give in to sin. Cain did not heed the Lord’s instruction. Cain opened the door and sin came into his life in the form of killing his own brother, Abel.
Satan is prowling around, sin is crouching at the door waiting for us to make ourselves vulnerable. But Peter tells us we must be sober-minded! Attentive! On the alert! When we are not diligently seeking God, we make ourselves more and more vulnerable to temptation and sin. Watch out!
Consider these words from God’s Holy Scriptures:
James 1:13-15 – “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Peter 5:8-10 – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”
A Cord of Blue 