Enemy on the Prowl
By Shauna Leis
“Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
1 Peter 5:8-9
Okay, so she is not exactly a prowling lion, but our yellow Labrador Retriever named Blondie (ferocious sounding I know) has perfected the art of attack. One would think with her 70 pound frame that she would not be the most stealthy of attackers, but when she is determined to get her prey, she can be extremely quiet. The other day, I sat in the yard and watched her stalk a bird. The unsuspecting victim was likely digging in the dirt for worms or some other insect for a night time snack. What she did not realize was that while she was so intent upon her meal, our lab was quickly sneaking up behind her to make the bird her meal.
What makes Blondie so great at the attack is that she does it slowly. She watches the moves of her prey and only makes a few steps at a time. Many times she even slinks along on her belly to remain inconspicuous. Finally, after several agonizing minutes (mostly on my part watching the scene unfold), Blondie reached the bird and pounced on top of her before the bird even realized what was happening. Blondie devoured the bird in just a couple of bites until all that was left was feathers, leaving only a hint of what had just taken place. Blondie then walked around the yard as if nothing had ever happened.
Precious friend, while watching all this take place, God so impressed upon my mind these verses above. I could feel His quiet voice speaking into my soul, “Shauna, what are you doing to protect yourself against the prowl of the enemy?” I guess I had never really thought of it in those terms before. How many times had I, much like the bird, sat unknowingly in the world while Satan was sneaking up behind me to devour me? Satan’s sole purpose on this earth is to either keep us from acknowledging Christ as our Savior or to try to get us to turn away from Him by whatever means necessary.
Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” This unseen enemy watches us each and every day to determine our strengths and especially our weaknesses. He monitors our every step in an attempt to make us stumble. There is nothing better in his mind than when one of us stumbles, especially when it takes out a non-believer with us. For him, that is the ultimate victory. He wants to take as many people into the pit of hell with him for eternity as he possibly can.
God desires just the opposite for us and for all the people on the earth. In 2 Peter 3:9, Paul tells us, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” He created us for eternity and longs for us to join Him in heaven for that eternity.
So, how do we stand up against this enemy? Ephesians 6:11 indicates, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” The only way that we can protect ourselves against this prowling enemy, bent on our destruction, is to put on the full armor of God: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with readiness, the shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. The first five are defensive weapons against the devil’s schemes while the last, the sword of the Spirit, is the only offensive weapon mentioned in the listing. Why? Because when we have the Word of God living in us, we have the only offensive weapon we will ever need.
Pray with me: Precious Lord, we should be mindful every day of what is going on around us. There is an enemy out there, just waiting to devour us at each turn. He prowls around behind us, trying to trip us up and make us stumble even trying to take others out when we fall. God, protect us on all sides with Your armor. Allow Your Living Word to dwell in us as the only offensive weapon we will need against this unseen enemy. Guard our hearts, our minds, and our souls. We dedicate them to You and to Your service. We love You so very much and pray all of this in the precious name of Your Son, Jesus Christ!