Be alert and of
sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour. ~ 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
Romans 8:35-39 describe the many things that cannot
separate us from the love of God. But if the enemy can get us to believe
otherwise, then he can own us. If, for example, he can get you to constantly
compare yourself to others by asking, “What’s wrong with me?” or “Why do I
always have to be the one to ____ (fill in the blank)?” or “When is it my turn
to be taken care of?” Devour means “Destroy; be consumed with grief.” When we
listen to and begin to ask questions like these, that’s when we’re in danger of
being devoured.
I used to wonder how anyone could find themselves in the position
to be devoured. But then after walking through a season in which I was asking
one or more of those questions, I realized standing or falling is all about
focus. Because I was focusing on those lies, those questions, and then the
false answers the enemy was spinning my way, it caused me to question the Truth.
When we focus on God’s unconditional love for us, we begin to see ourselves as
He sees us and can’t help but fall madly in love with Him, needing Him more
than life and breath. But when we entertain the enemy’s questions, we begin to
question God’s love and faithfulness and we begin to fall.
In 1 Peter 5:6-9, God gives us specific steps to keep us
from harm, keeping our focus on Him:
·
Humble yourself under God (v 6)
·
Cast your anxiety on God (v 7)
·
Be alert and of sober mind (v 8)
·
Resist the enemy and stand firm (v 9)
I encourage and challenge you: if you’ve been
entertaining those questions, it’s time to change your mind! You were not
called to anyone else’s life or race—quit comparing yourself to others! Father
God loves you unconditionally and He has given you the mind of Christ so that
you’ll be able to focus on the truth and not the liar. Now stand firm and
defeat the devourer!
©Heather Potts 2016
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