The Enemy's Tactic

"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." -1 Peter 5.8

We have identified the enemy, and now Peter tells us how he works. The devil prowls like a roaring lion, seeking someone he can devour. The devil is a crafty villain. He began his attack on humanity by taking the form of a snake, seizing an opportunity to twist God's works and make Him out to be liar, and continuously sought to bring about destruction. His attacks typically begin with subtle sabotage, and if he must, it turns into a full assault. But every attack begins with prowling, seeking an easy target.

The word in Greek in is peripateō, which means to walk, but it is walking with purpose, seeking to make use of any opportunity that presents itself. The devil is not out for a casual stroll, taking in the scenery, stopping to smell the roses. He is walking with a purpose, seeking a victim, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. The devil does not go about his business, hoping an opportunity falls across his path, He is hunting, looking for his next meal.

Lion's never go for the strongest animal in the middle of the herd; they go out for the sick or weak animal, one that is separated from the group and easy to pick off. Lion's want an easy meal, not a battle, Satan doesn't want to go after those he can't beat, and so he goes for the ones who aren't paying attention, the ones who think he isn't real, or isn't on the move. We must be watchful and alert, ready for the attack.

My mind goes to David's argument to Saul when he was seeking to fight Goliath. 1 Samuel 17.34 says this, "But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock". The lion didn't go after the shepherd who was armed and ready, it went for a lamb, a small, defenseless, young sheep. It went for the easy target, and carried it off. That is how the enemy works. Those well armed and ready for the attack are not immune from lion attacks, look at Samson in Judges 14, but those who are watchful and alert are not easily picked off.

This is how he always works. Look at the temptation of Jesus, when does the devil show up? After Jesus has spent 40 days alone in the wilderness fasting. He has no human companionship with Him for encouragement, He is weak from huger, and his mind is probably not at its peak due to the combination of no food and physical exertion. Only then does the devil show up. The devil doesn't take on those who are strong and ready, because in that instance he always loses. The enemy goes after the weak and separated.

Let us be aware of how the enemy works, and let us be ready and watchful so that we do not present an easy target.


Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY