The lion is a deadly beast. Potentially 10 feet long and weighing in at 400 pounds, its scissor-like teeth and claws can shred flesh in an instant. His thundering roar can be heard up to five miles away. It’s a sound you can feel in your chest, and to hear it in the wild would surely leave us shaking in our boots.
1 Peter 5:8 tells us, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Scripture is clear we have an enemy who is consistently looking for ways to eat us alive. The stakes are high; therefore, we must be ready.
Here are 4 ways we can prevail over the attack of the enemy.
1. Know your weaknesses and expect an attack.
We’ve been warned. Knowing that an enemy is prowling around should set us on guard.
At The Noble Man Conference in Roanoke, VA, Pastor Kris Dolberry of The Bridge Church in Spring Hill, TN exposed 5 Attacks on the Souls of Men:
- Pride – “Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind.” – C.S. Lewis
- Identity – Any identity we seek outside of what we’ve already been given by Christ, what’s already been done for us on the cross by Jesus, is misplaced.
- Passivity – Be engaged, tuned in, and “sober-minded” as Peter exhorts us.
- Isolation – Bonhoeffer said, “Sin demands to have a man by himself.” Kris warns us that we need to have “courageous vulnerability” with godly men. “If not, you are primed for the enemy’s attack.”
- Lust – 2 Timothy 2:22 tells us to flee lust. In our recent 1 Quick Question survey, one man shared the wise advice he was given. “Thank the Lord for a faithful father who prepared me, ‘Don’t try to fight it, RUN!’”
2. Keep your guard up.
I don’t live far from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s a scenic route full of majestic mountain views. It is constructed with windy roads and steep overlooks, and the only things keeping my vehicle from hurling over the side of the mountain are my ability to keep it in the center of the road, and a strip of rail, sometimes wood, less than three feet tall alongside the pavement edge. Knowing potential areas of weakness in our lives is not an excuse to relax, but a charge to be vigilant in your steering and to bolster your guardrails. Place extra protection in your life in the five areas Kris gives us insight on.
3. Have your weapon ready.
You would never enter a physical battle without a physical weapon. We know that we don’t fight against flesh and blood but against a spiritual enemy. (Ephesians 6:12) Therefore, God has equipped us for spiritual battle. We have been given a powerful weapon, and our strategy is to consistently spend time worshipping God and studying the Word. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” Hebrews 4:12
4. Lock arms with your allies.
Battle buddies, wise guys, small group – whatever you call it, find your Band of Brothers. Find your 2 a.m. friends. Too often we don’t seek out those friendships because it takes time and work. But when the time comes that you need him, it may be too late. Start now.
Most importantly, lean on your only Hope. We know from John 10:10 that the enemy’s solitary purpose is to cause death and destruction. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” But the victory is found in Jesus’ words that follow. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” The enemy may prowl like a lion. But Jesus is not like a lion. He is the Lion of Judah.
We are at war, but you have access to the Victor. It is in our dependence on Him that we win the battle.