LIKE A ROARING LION
1 Peter 5:8
Dr. Glenn A. Jent, Pastor
INTRODUCTION
Lions are known as fearsome beasts—kings of the jungle. They are terrific hunters and skillfully stalk their prey. However, sometimes lions just let out a roar, a sound that terrifies everything within hearing distance—perhaps to see what they can scare up. Satan is like a lion and roars to see who reacts fearfully. Once he spots the fearful, he begins stalking those who are easy prey. Peter warns us of Satan’s tactics and gives us advice. Let us examine what he has to say.
I. DO NOT HAVE AN UNREASONABLE ANXIETY
“Be self-controlled.”
1. Do not allow Satan’s roar to scare you.
2. Do not allow Satan’s roar to intimidate you.
II. DO NOT HAVE AN UNCONCERNED AWARENESS
“Be alert.”
1. Satan’s roar is a warning that we need to be aware of his presence.
2. Satan’s roar is a warning that we need to be cautious about his intentions.
III. DO NOT HAVE AN UNSTABLE APPROACH
“Resist him.”
1. Be ready to stand against Satan.
2. Be ready to stomp on Satan.
Romans 16:20—“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”
IV. DO NOT HAVE AN UNBELIEVING ATTITUDE
“”Standing firm in the faith.”
1. Have a living faith that gives you confidence in the trying hour.
2. Have a lively faith that gives you power in the trying hour.
V. DO NOT HAVE AN UNJUST ASSESSMENT
“Your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.”
1. Do not think that you are the only one suffering for God.
2. Do not think that you are the only one being faithful to God.
CONCLUSION
Interestingly, Satan is described as being LIKE a lion, but Jesus IS the Lion! Satan is always trying to imitate Jesus, to make us think he has great power. Yet, the Scripture plainly presents Jesus as “the Lion of Judah” (see Revelation 5:5). Thus, when C. S. Lewis portrays Jesus as a lion (Aslan) in his The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, he is following Scriptural tradition. Satan pretends to be a fearful lion, but Jesus is the Lion-King that will save us from the wicked imposter.
In spite of the dangers we face as children of God, God promises to do something for us just before this verse and just after this verse. In verse six, God promises to “life you up in due time.” In verse nine, God promises He “will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” We face difficult struggles in this life because of Satan, the evil one. However, God promises to take care of those who are faithful, who are self-controlled, who are alert, who resist Satan, who stand firm in the faith, and who understand they are not alone in their sufferings. How are you doing in your confrontations with Satan? There is victory only in Jesus, the Lion-King!
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