1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
THEME OF THE DAY: LESSONS FROM SOME DEER. No noise broke the early morning silence as I left my vehicle and entered the building. It was quiet as was my office. I had to check on them. Gazing outside the window in front of my desk and to my delight, they were back. I think they like me. Well, not really. They like the grass outside my office, but they do inch closer each time I see them. Yesterday both of them were on the edge of the woods. Today they strolled into the middle of the field. There is something tranquil in the quiet of a morning watching deer nibble away at grass. It was a serene scene just “my” two deer and me. Not only was the moment tranquil but instructive as I watched them have breakfast. As the deer chomped away, I noticed how alert they were to any noise or movement potentially harming them. They would put their heads down, enjoy a little vegetation and occasionally look up to see if danger was present. Standing on the edge of the field, they watched me intently to determine if I was a threat. Standing still and just looking, “my” deer seemed content to allow my observation of their breakfast, however, they still took turns staring at me. I felt I was being drilled by those dark eyes! Then, I took a step toward them. Breakfast was over. Recognizing my movement prompted their movement and off to the woods they went.
In the Christian life we would do well to mimic these deer in their alertness. We have an adversary in the devil prowling around like a roaring lion. His interest is not just observation of our activity, but of our spiritual destruction. Have you thought about the adversary of your soul with this type of imagery? Our world today does one of two things concerning the devil. He is ignored as some fictional character or an impersonal force. Satan is neither. He is real and personally committed to our demise.
Another deception about the devil is to mischaracterize him with levity. He does not wear red tights, have a forked tail, or carry a pitchfork. He is viewed in comic-like fashion. He is not that either. John says the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short. (Revelation 12:12). Don’t buy into Satan’s non-existence or his funny characterizations. As believers, we must make sure our belief in the devil is not just mere acknowledgement without learning his active, aggressive, and personal tactics against us. Paul would not be ignorant of this fiend of the soul and if we are going to live holy lives committed to the Glory of God, we better know well the enemy against this high calling. (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Today’s reference reveals “deer-like” conduct applicable to our daily walk with Jesus. First learn to take all of life seriously – be sober minded. The deer enjoyed their meal, but maintained seriousness about how vulnerable they were in an open field. For us, being serious in life doesn’t mean living absent of fun. It does mean we realize our lives are lived in enemy territory. It is territory occupied by an enemy who wants to assault us. And one of the great tactics of assault is to get us to live for the “here and now” not for the “there and after.” A second thing I noticed from “my” deer is how quickly they responded when “something” wasn’t right. Peter says the devil is like a “prowling lion.” Satan is subtle, good at deceiving, and hard-to-detect. The Christian walking oblivious to the schemes of the devil is not alert (Ephesians 6:1). He or she is ripe for devouring. One way to know if we are not being “deer-like”, with quickness to respond to the evil in and around, is the condition of our heart. If we are hardened, meaning a waning in our love for Christ and things of Christ, we are food for the devouring lion (Hebrews 3:13). Let’s take a few pointers from “my” deer and seek a daily vigilance against the enemy of our souls.
Prayer: “Father, protect us from failing to watch and fight against sin, self, and Satan.”
Quote: Esther Burr, “Make it the business of life to prepare for heaven.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim