The Roaring Lion

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

(1 Peter 5:8)

We must be watchful in our actions and thoughts. In the Bible the devil was compared to the "roaring lion." When we commit sin, we are feeding the roaring lion. There are 3 things we don’t know we are feeding the lion:

I – By our rebellious and independent spirit – “Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” (Ephesians 6:1). “Parents must not provoke their children to wrath.” (Ephesians 6:4). “Husbands and wives must submit to one another.” (Ephesians 5:20-25). If we become rebellious or disobedient we are feeding the roaring lion. The devil is very happy if there is broken home. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls.” (Hebrews 13;17). We must submit therefore to God in order to resist the devil and he will flee you.” (James 4:7).

II – By our proud and haughty spirit – We are feeding again the roaring lion if do not humble ourselves. We must be Christ-like who humbled himself by “washing others feet.” “If I then your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet....that ye should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15). “A high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” (Proverbs 21:4). Pride is a sin. “A man’s pride shall bring him low; but honor shall uphold the humble spirit.” (Proverbs 29:23). One of the most important virtues that Christ showed unto us is humility. If we commit sin, we must ask God’s forgiveness. We must repent. But if pride is always in our heart, we will not live in peace. Admission of guilt, truth and honesty will set us free. “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:5).

III – Worried and distraught spirit – We know that every one has a problem in life. But the way we handle our crosses counts most. If we always worry and cannot go on with our daily living, again we are feeding the devil, the roaring lion into it full stomach!! “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.” (Matthew 6:26).
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6). God knows how to handle our problems. Relax God is in control! He is an all knowing God. “ “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7).

(Sermon taken from Nil Queben Alubog Fosana, Bible Student of Bible Baptist Church, Cebu.)