As you step out today, here’s a reminder of God’s word to you from 1Peter 5:8 [NET BIBLE].
“Be sober ( reflective, self-controlled,clear-minded, serious, curb every passion ) and alert (temperate, be watchful, vigilant). Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour.”
The Message Translation says,
“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith.”
Today’s Bible verse brings to mind many instances when as a parent I have often reminded my children either as I dropped them off in school or at their friends place exactly the kind of behaviour I expect from them. As a parent, doing this was in a way to reinforce their character and to remind them of their godly heritage.
In today’s key verse Apostle Peter carefully outlines to believers of his time who were exiles scattered in different regions that were most likely not tolerant to this new breed of people called ‘Christians’.
These believers were sure confronted with cultural laws ( that restricted their faith) and volatile situations such as (persecution, hardship and all sorts of difficulties and challenges) that it was important for them to be reminded of the character to maintain and the way to live as a follower of Christ.
As believers in today’s precarious society, akin to political correctness and which is quite intolerant to Christians in many different parts of the world. It is important for us also to be reminded of how we ought to live, behave and act.
Many of us as Christians are faced each day with different situations that have the potential to make us compromise our Christian value/standards. Standards which represents our Christian values that are geared towards standing us out from people who are yet to receive Jesus into their heart as their Lord and personal savior.
Today’s key verse, goes on to remind us that we have an enemy, the devil who is constantly on the move like a roaring lion looking for situations and opportunities that will make us compromise our godly values and Faith. And these are situations that would present themselves in our workplace, marriage, relationships, business, ministry even in our daily activities.
This scripture makes us understand that the devil takes this job description of his very seriously and would do everything to ‘pounce’ on us so that he can keep us down.
This is why adhering to the instruction of today’s key verse is very crucial if we want to continually be Victorious! Remember we live in a world where there are so many things that cause distractions for us as believers.
And unless we are determined to be self-controlled and to curb our passion, we will, unfortunately, fall victim to the devil and end up being casualties.
The Message translation emphasizes that the devil would like nothing better “than to catch you as a child of God napping” and admonishes you to keep your guard up, to be sober, vigilant, alert, watchful, reflective and to curb every passion that might want entrap you.
Therefore, as you go about your daily business and activities today, I encourage you to be mindful and be intentional about heeding to the wisdom in today’s key verse. In all you do whether in your relationship, business, family, marriage, workplace, education, ministry, etc. do make sure that your character reflects the kingdom that you belong.
In all you do, be watchful and do make sure that you keep guard especially in areas of your weakness or habits you might still be struggling with. Be mindful of how you relate with others and be reflective in all you do so that you can be quick to make better choices.
Be sensitive to the Holyspirit leading and instruction to you. Pray always and as much as you can also pray in your heavenly language (speaking in tongues – you can look more into this in 1Corinthians 14:2,39).
Remember, God’s word is the believers manual to help us navigate through life’s crossroads, challenges and difficulties so that we are continuously Victorious and we can be thousands of steps ahead of the devil!
You are more than a Conqueror through Christ Jesus, Hallelujah!
Do have a blessed and fruitful day!
God bless you.
