As believers, we can get into a lot of trouble when we focus too much on a specific verse or passage and wind up neglecting the rest of the Bible’s revelation to our hearts and minds. Paul says in Acts to be careful to teach the whole counsel of God. We see one aspect of that in 1 Peter.
”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(NASB)
If you looked at just that passage, you would be in danger of slipping into fear of this great enemy who launches an almost constant onslaught against us, but that would be to our detriment. You see, in the rest of the Bible, the whole counsel of God, there is another lion called the Lion of Judah, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father, whose name is Jesus.
Jesus is a greater lion.
In fact, if we understand the New Testament correctly, Jesus has defeated Satan as our ravening, roaring lion. Oh, he can roar, but he’s got no teeth anymore. He can scare you, but he cannot hurt you. In fact, the only way he can hinder you is if you believe his lies. So my friend, when you look at 1 Peter 5, make sure you interpret it in context of what the rest of what the Bible says. Otherwise, you’re going to be in danger of letting him occupy the supreme place in your mind. That place is reserved for the True Lion, the Lion of Judah, who has already won the battle. And He is the one who should be at the forefront of our minds.
We serve the Victor, and because He is in us and we are in Him, we too are the victors.
By faith, as we journey through this world, trust Him because He is trustworthy. And in doing so, you will find Him faithful and you, in turn, will be faithful.
