“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
If you’re a Christian then you have an active, vicious enemy (and it isn’t simply another Christian you dislike). Whether you realize it or not, the devil is actively searching around the body of Christ (the church) looking for those who are spiritually weak and disconnected from other believers. He wants to destroy you spiritually! Regardless of whether you believe in him, he believes in you!
As a follower of Jesus, you must take the devil’s threat seriously. He isn’t a cartoonish figure with a red cape, horns, and pitchfork! He’s subtle. He seeks to confuse you about the truth of Scripture. He whispers the lies of our culture into your ear. He encourages you to make yourself lord of your life rather than Jesus. He encourages sin rather than holiness, spiritual surrender rather than obedience to Christ, and fear over the Spirit of power living within you. The devil wants you distracted, discouraged, and ineffective for Jesus. He wants you scared, silenced, and sorry you ever chose Jesus.
Be watchful! Spend time each day reading and meditating on the Bible, staying close to God’s truth and discerning true teaching from false. Spend time each day in prayer, drawer nearer to God and learning to distinguish His voice from the devil’s. Spend time with other believers, encouraging one another rather than living in unholy isolation. Spend time serving Christ regularly and consistently rather than simply focusing inwardly on yourself. Share Christ with others rather than walking through life in scared silence. Draw ever nearer to Jesus rather than making the devil’s task easier.