Watch Out!

"Look both ways before you cross the street!" I can remember my mom reminding me each morning before I walked out the door on my way to school. I only had one street to cross, but she remained diligent in uttering the warning every morning as I grabbed my books and headed out.

I always think of that when I read 1 Peter 5:8 ...

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

I'm not so sure my mom ever thought of this verse when she gave her daily warning. However, her watchfulness and need to ensure I was safe are not much different from “Be sober, be vigilant!”

We need to be watchful against our foes, remaining constantly aware of their schemes and tricks to deceive us and to wound us spiritually. We must watch carefully, as you would when you know danger lurks. We must always be on guard against the wiles, lures, strategies, and power of our enemy, watching for opportunities to harm us.

The enemy is opposed to us; he resists our efforts to do good and all our efforts to obey God. He attempts to alarm us by his roar; he would have us believe he can overpower us like a crouching lion creeping toward his foe. He represents himself to us as the great and raging king of the jungle who, by his roar, would intimidate all of us so we might become easy prey.

We must also be aware that he is sneaky, manipulating, and misrepresenting himself to us as an angel of light. The enemy is worse than any man we can conceive; he is not a common adversary but one that aims at our very souls. He is an accuser and a devourer, malicious in every way.

But here’s the good news. As strong as our enemy appears, as loud as his thundering roar, as malicious and seductive as his ways, he is a defeated foe. He would like us either to be in constant fear of what he can do or to dismiss his existence and totally ignore him.

The Word of God instructs us to be wise, to be watchful, to be aware, but not to live in constant fear. We have His promise: victory is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57).

We serve an omnipotent God who reigns over all. Nothing can ever separate us from His love.

Prayer

Father, help me remain strong when I feel like I’m being stalked or attacked. Help me trust in Your omnipotent power to watch over me. You are my watchful protector, and I'm learning to trust You in all things. Amen.

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. (Isaiah 54:17)

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© 2026 Jan Ross
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