KNOW YOUR ENEMY: DEVOURING LION

“And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” ~ Job 1:12

REFERENCE:

JOB 1:6-20

Yesterday, we saw that the devil comes in a crafty and unsuspecting way to lead us away from God; today, we will discover another strategy or modus operandi of the devil. Interestingly, it is the one that people are more familiar with because it is aggressive, direct and conspicuous.

Job’s troubles in this account show the devil as a devouring lion. I Peter 5:8 says he walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. That was exactly how Job’s woes started; satan had been going to and fro on the earth; and while perambulating, he noticed Job. He could only see him; however, he could not touch him until God permitted him to. The moment he got the permission, his devouring nature came into play. He aggressively went after everything Job had; like a termite, he was out to ruin him in a very short time. In his fury and hate for man, Satan destroyed Job’s business, farm produce, livestock, killed most of his staff and all his children. All these he accomplished by manipulating the elements and instigating bandits to plunder his possessions. It was quick, aggressive, back-to-back and he spared nothing that he could reach.

Lions have voracious appetites; when they set their eyes on a prey, their killer instinct kicks in; they will stealthily watch and wait for an opportune time when the prey’s guards are down, then they dash at lightning speed and give chase until they catch up with the prey. They ‘go for the jugular,’ suffocate it, and tear it from limb to limb, feasting on it and leaving very little afterwards. Lions are also known to be greedy and would often hunt even when they are not hungry.

The devil is likened to a roaring lion because of its strength, rage, malice and cruelty. Satan will intimidate you with his roar (bad news, different fears, distractions), he will come against you with persecution, opposition and threat of death. See how he went after Job – he was heartless and was ready to take and take and take. He will attack a man’s business, finances, family, health, investments, relationships, etc., until he brings the man to his knees – if the man allows him. One mistake Job made was that he never at any point resisted the devil or prayed to stop the plague.

Lions are known to sometimes attack people. When that happens, expert counsel says, stand your ground, if you must retreat, do it slowly while facing the lion and clapping your hands, shouting and waving your arms around so you look bigger. They say, “Hold your ground and never run or turn your back on a lion”. How so true about the devil too. The way to deal with the roaring and devouring devil is to stand up and resist him (I Peter 5:9). Remember that you are bigger than him, for greater is He who is in you than the devil. Don’t let the devil take and take and take without you saying anything. Get your scriptures, get into the place of prayer, face the devil authoritatively and resist him. Tell him he has come so far, but he will not go any further.

Do it now! Lift up your head, wipe your tears, end the pity-party, get your bible and face up to the devil and begin to resist him over your life, family, studies, business, relationship, children, etc.

PHOTO QUOTE:

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Luke 4:3-12, James 4:7 & I John 4:4

TO DO:

+ Jesus said, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” ~ Luke 10:19. So, take a look at any area of your life where the devouring lion is in operation and begin to resist him with authority. Bind him and cast him out of all your affairs and concerns. The Greater one lives in you.