First Peter 5:8 warns, “Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him . . .” Tell that to the guy above on the left, and the guy on the right. Left, a man on a British safari in South Africa (just days ago) being attacked by a leopard that grabbed his arm while in a safari vehicle. He sustained serious injury and had to be hospitalized.
Now, an explanation about the guy on the right. After an exhausting series of recent meetings in South Africa, I relaxed for a couple of days on a safari, the same kind of activity of the man attacked by the leopard. Same kind of vehicle, similar game park, not far away from the leopard incident. Moments after I shot this selfie, the elephant over my left shoulder, with his back to me, suddenly turned and came on a full charge toward our vehicle, trumpeting loudly. Quick thinking and a fast retreat by our driver avoided a violent crash with this huge pachyderm. Lesson to learn? When on safari beware. A wild animal can become a life-threatening danger at any moment.
Leopards. Elephants. Lions. Whatever the beast, in the jungle beware. Python. Leviathan. Jezebel (That’s one really wild beast!). Whatever demonic form the devil is using to stalk your life, be aware that he can turn on you in a moment. Our guide and ranger had no idea what made that elephant suddenly decide charge us. It doesn’t matter. Like animals in the wild, you can’t predict the devil’s behavior. The only protection is to do what Peter said, “Be sober, be vigilant” (“self-controlled and alert” NIV).
An encouraging word: RESIST BY FAITH
In 1 Peter 5:9 and in James 4:7 we are told to “resist” the devil. How is that done? Peter explains in verse 9: “Standing firm in the faith.” Resisting Satan isn’t about shouting at him or wishing him away. You can’t make the devil leave by prayer and fasting alone, even church attendance and tithing. These things are all good, and necessary for a victorious Christian life. But nothing takes the place of faith. Hebrews 11:32 reminds us that the spiritual heroes of old actually closed the mouths of lions by faith and “through faith subdued kingdoms.” If you want to put the devil and his kingdom on the run, then resist by the gift of faith which God has given you.
Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18). You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online.
