* Today I am sharing an edited post from 2011.
Several years ago we had a cat who had a habit of jumping on me from behind, unprovoked and unannounced. We put a bell on her collar to announce her approach and at first, I heard it loud and clear. I never thought the day would come when the sound could fall in deaf ears.
But the day came and it brought a lesson.
And that is the point today. Here is what the cat bell taught me …
We have an enemy. As believers, we have heard this and know it well. Scripture tells us this:
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8, 9a NLT)
He’s prowling, and he’s looking for someone to devour. To take that bite out of, much the same way our cat would do to the back of my leg.
Here’s what stood out about our enemy ”“ he’s roaring. If he is roaring, then we should hear him coming. It may not be a literal out loud roar so the ears on the side of our heads can hear. But in a spiritual sense, we should be able to hear him. We should be onto his schemes and be aware when he is approaching.
God has given us the means by which to defend ourselves:
- Stay alert. Funny that Peter of all people would use this command. He, who had fallen asleep, knew the consequences of not staying alert. Be aware of how your behavior, your thoughts, and emotions may be reacting contrary to God’s ways. Don’t fall asleep spiritually. Make sure your love for God remains passionate.
- Watch out. Look for the ways the situations in your life may be pulling you down. Put up boundaries, if necessary, in your life.
- Stand firm. Know what you believe and hold fast to those truths. Do not permit yourself to be swayed from the truth of God’s Word.
- Be Strong. Ask God to strengthen you in your inner man so you do not crumble under the pressures or temptations which come against you each day.
In many ways, the enemy’s roar is just like our cat’s bell ”“ it is a warning and you can hear it coming. Today I pray God would give us all ears to hear. May He train our ears to detect the enemy coming from afar. May we be prepared and able to be strong and stand firm. May we not become so accustomed to the enemy’s ploys that we no longer recognize his “roar”.
Stay alert!
How are your listening skills? In her post, “The Power of Cultivating Deep Listening“, we find encouragement to train ourselves toward deep listening of both other people and God.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Adam Bixby on Unsplash
Today I may be joining …
So true and I think he has been roaring a lot in recent days and your reminders are well taken, my friend.♥ï¸
Your posts are much appreciated, Pam!
This makes me think of another verse–which I should take time to look up–which says we are not ignorant of his devices. We don’t need to walk in fear, if we’re depending on the Lord, but we need to be watchful and careful.
Barbara, I know the very verse to which you refer. His schemes are so personal to each of our lives. I am so grateful the Lord causes us to be see them as we remain in His Word and walk with Him.
Great object lesson here my friend. Spiritual Awareness is every bit as important as Situational Awareness.
J.D., this is the message the Lord keeps putting before me again and again.
Great encouragement to trust, but at the same time to be aware and alert.
Absolutely, Lisa.
Joanne-I have three cats. They are all strange, but I can’t imagine one of them stalking me like this! Ha! I love how God gave you an illustration of truths through it! Let us be alert…the devil does indeed prowl around looking for someone to devour.
Amy, this cat would literally hang from the back of my robe in the morning. It was unreal. It was always a sneak attack. But we loved her and miss her and the lessons have stuck!
Oh my, Joanne, such a timely post, our enemy is quite busy these days both on the global stage and in my private life! Sometimes we become complacent, and these reminders are so important. I was recently blind sided by a spiritual attack for that very reason. Thank you for your faithful reminder to be vigilant!
Donna, trust me, I was reminding myself 🙂 It is so easy to think the daily occurrences are just a part of life. But it all fits into the spiritual battles we face. May we remain alert to the roar and schemes of the enemy. I’m praying for you today, friend!
What a great analogy! We do get so used to warnings that we begin to ignore them. I pray to be more alert than ever. We do have an enemy; but we have an even greater Deliverer!
Amen! Great encouragement, Jerralea!
Oh Joanne what a timely message! Yes, the roars of our enemy are loud & clear at the moment, may we stay alert!
Bless you, Jennifer
Joanne, what a powerful post – thank you! I hadn’t thought of all the ways to breakdown this Scripture and you are insightful. We must always stay alert!!!
Isn’t it something that God teaches us lessons in some weird way sometimes. I really love how you taught this today. I gleaned some clarification today. Thanks.
Visiting from #12&13
It’s crazy to think about the things that become so “normal” that we no longer notice them.
BUT…
We can never let our guard down when it comes to the enemy, because that’s when he will sneak in and stir up trouble.
Oh my, I’ve never experienced a cat approaching from behind and biting a back of a leg! Yes, it is so important to stay alerted to the schemes of the enemy–a sneaky thief.
Joanne, enjoyed this message. Your point to stand firm spoke to me. It remined me of the Israelites at the edge of the Red Sea with the Pharoh’s army closing in. They had no where to go. But God found a way when there seemed to be no way. They had to stand firm in God’s promises. We too must stand firm in truth.
Such a timely message, Joanne. There’s so much deception and delusion in the world today. But what a comfort to remember that God is greater and that He equips us to defend ourselves stand firm against a very real enemy.
What a timely message, Joanne. There is so much deception and delusion in the world today. It’s such a comfort to remember that our God is greater and that He equips us to defend ourselves and stand firm against our enemy.