Introduction
Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 1 Peter 5:8 Amplified bible, classic version.
#1 Be cautious at all times
As a rule, lions hunt mostly at night and rest during the day but are often active at dawn and dusk and on cooler days. Ephesians 5: 15 – 17 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. We are children of the light who have been called from darkness into God’s marvelous light. Take caution NOT to go back into the darkness, for there the enemy is lying in wait for it’s prey. Stay in the light for here we are promised safety and protection.
#2 Be sober minded
Interestingly lions hunt by ambush. Being sober minded means be carefully reasoned. An ambush is a trap in which one or more concealed attackers lie in wait to attack by surprise. The advantage gained by surprise depends on the degree of surprise and the enemy’s ability to adjust and recover. The devil remains quiet and still in the ambush location as to not give away his surprise. The christian needs to carefully reasoned to be alert so as not to give the enemy any advantage over your soul.
#3 Be Vigilant
The lion stalks its prey during daylight hours, but mostly waits until after dark before launching an attach. To be vigilant means to be alertly watchful especially to avoid danger. To be vigilant you need to do the following: 1) be aware of your surrounding ; 2) be knowledgeable of your threats; 3) walk with purpose; 4) know your limits; and 5) fix your eyes on Jesus.
#4 Be Temperate
During the heat of the day, the lions position themselves near the watering hole. Enough cannot be said about controlling our appetites. Temperance means being moderate in action, thought or feeling. Whatever your watering hole, you need to be moderate to avert an attack. If you get carried away by your appetite and stay longer than you should in the watering hole, you are in danger the lion is watching and can pounce any time. 1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
#5 Be Prayerful
More than anything, lions rely on their sight to help them with hunting. You need to sharpen your eyesight, but this is not physical eyesight but spiritual eyesight. Spiritual eyesight is basically the ability to see beyond what you can see with your natural eyes. Using spiritual eyesight helps you look through the eyes of faith because we live by faith not by sight. You need to have a sharp spiritual eyesight to help you spot the enemy. 2 Corinthians 4:18 we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.
#6 Be Armed
Sometimes the lion goes for its prey strategically corners it’s prey and meets it head on for a fight. There are times when you will have to fight the enemy head on, and you cannot do it alone. Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Christian we need to put on the full armour of God and we have put on the armor and stand, for the battle belongs to the Lord.
#7 Be Courageous
Lions often roar to mark their territory and their roar can be heard about 5 miles away. Do not fear when you hear the enemy roar. The bible says ” the enemy like a roaring lion”,note he is not the real lion. 1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” God is all powerful, he is on your side no matter how loud the roar is, the Lord is for you and you will be victorious as long as you remain faithful to Him.
#8 Be Obedient
Did you know that lions hunt most during storms? Yes, they do it makes it harder for the prey to see or hear them. We all go through storms in our lives, whatever the nature of your storm remain anchored on Jesus for when you are anchored the enemy cannot get you. When we are going through storms we are weak and broken, the enemy knows that so he comes for us when we are down. 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
#9 Be Wise
Lions that live in areas with thicker cover are able to do more of the hunting in daylight hours. If you think that the enemy only attacks in the night you are dead wrong, the enemy can also attack during the day. He looks for a thick cover and waits. Wisdom is having discernment. Discernment means acuteness of judgment and understanding. By a well-ordered life and a godly conversation, we become lights in the church and in the world. Spiritual things must be spiritually discerned. Those who drink most deeply of the waters of salvation will reveal most fully the meekness and lowliness of Christ. To perceive the presence of the enemy lurking around you we need to be wise.d to be wise.
#10 Be Faithful
The lion sometimes hunts in prides, sometimes the lion hunts in collaboration with lionesses. The devil has vessels that have submitted to him that he uses to help him meet his objectives. Any heart that is not submitted to God becomes a territory for the devil to use to hunt others. “The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it except His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan.” You cannot overcome the attack of the pride unless you are fully surrendered to Jesus, only He can overcome all the attacks of the devil.
Conclusion
The lion marks his territory which can be as small as 20 sq km and as large as 400 sq km. We need to be careful to keep from getting into his territory is to keep close to Jesus. James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”