Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. — 1 Peter 5:8
Many years ago, a young Frenchman captured the world’s attention by walking a tightrope between the twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center. At 1,350 feet above the ground, the man walked effortlessly from one tower to the next as spectators below looked on.
A few months later, while practicing on a relatively low wire in St. Petersburg, Florida, the same man fell 30 feet and was injured. As he lay on the ground waiting for help, he beat his fist on the ground saying, “I can’t believe it! I never fall!!!”
Very often, our biggest mistakes come not where we’re outside of our comfort zone, but when we’re most comfortable. We become accustomed to doing things a certain way, and we then become complacent… letting our guard down and allowing carelessness to cause us to stumble.
This is why it’s so important to always be attentive in the Christian life. When we’re comfortable and complacent, the enemy knows that’s where we’re most vulnerable. And if our guard is down, we’re much more likely to succumb when he attacks.
In today’s passage, we see the apostle Peter depicting Satan as a lion. And when lions attack, they don’t attack the animals that are ready to run or fight. No, they attack the weak ones who never see them coming.
Don’t let Satan catch you off guard by being careless. Stay on guard in the Christian life and you’ll be ready when challenges come your way!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to help you avoid complacency in your life by staying on your guard against the attacks of the enemy.
Questions for thought
Think of a time when you felt you were attacked by the enemy. How could having a sense of readiness have helped you in that situation?
What are some practical ways you can stay on your guard every day?