1 Peter 5:8

Scripture:

1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (NASB)

Observation:

The enemy was prowling around. I had seen him earlier in the day, so when it was time to let our dog out that night, I made sure I went with her. Living in a residential neighborhood, the last thing I ever expected to see what a rather large skunk walking across our lawn, but it was out there and knowing our dog, she would have ran straight for it. I had to make sure that the enemy, the skunk, was nowhere in sight or I would have spent a very smelly night cleaning the dog. Today's verse speaks of being of sober spirit, being on alert for our adversary prowls around seeking someone to devour.  Like the skunk, our enemy wants nothing more than to make a stinky mess of our lives. So we must be on alert, ready for action, having a plan in place to make sure we don't fall prey to his trap. Walking the dog out that night made sure that I wasn't going to fall into a bad situation. I wonder if we are on alert to the lies of Satan, to the deception he has planned to make our lives a very bad odor. Something to think about as we walk this thing called life! By the way, it's really black or white: the skunk and the sin!

Application:

• Personal Application: Continue spending time with the Lord daily. Sow righteousness and reap the fruit of God's unfailing love. 
• Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that we must continue to spend time with the Lord and keep our hearts focused on His plans and purposes. Pray for them.

TOM SEMBER has been involved in ministering to men for over 20 years. He is an ordained minister with the AG in the NY Ministry Network. Tom lives with his wife, Carolyn, and children in New York. You can connect with Tom on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.