Sober

Peter warns us all of the dangers that Satan poses to God's people: 

1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 

The word "sober" (Greek nepho) is a verb found in the New Testament only in the figurative sense, implying "sober watchfulness." In addition, "vigilant" (Greek gregoreuo) means "to keep awake or watch (literally or figuratively)."

Combining "sober" and "vigilant" paints an interesting picture for us. When a person is heavily intoxicated, he wants nothing more than to sleep it off. So it is impossible for the sleeping drunkard to be vigilant about anything. The message for us is that we must be attentive to our physical and spiritual condition so that we do not become spiritually intoxicated. This type of person is exactly the kind whom Satan seeks. If we enter this state, then we make ourselves a prime target to be devoured by the "roaring lion."

Our Adversary is out there. He is lurking, prowling like a hungry lion for prey. Believing that he does not exist is just plain stupid. Probably even more so as believing that there are no lions on the savanna in Africa.

I have never been to Africa. I have not been through the territories itself, I would not want to go out on the savanna and think, "I wouldn't get hurt. There are no lions out here."

Have you ever seen the savanna? It is the same color as a lion. You cannot see lions very well on the savanna because they hide, they are camouflaged, and they can sneak up and be right there at your throat in a moment.

That is the way that Satan is. The darkness is his world and he is hidden and camouflaged by it. The best thing he could do for his cause is to get people to believe that he does not exist, because they will then ignore him, and be open and susceptible to his temptations, his spirit, and fall victim to his attacks.

So, what do we do? Peter's advice  to us is very simple: 

-Be humble. 

-Trust in God to take care of you. 

-Be sober-minded, or self-controlled. 

-Do not let yourself get caught up in the latest religious fads. 

-Get a hold of yourself and know what you are getting into before you are led astray. 

-Be aware of signs of Satan's presence and keep yourself unspotted from the world.