1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:… I. We have here the devil AT WORK IN HUMANITY. He is "going about," not outside men, but in men, going about in the regions of human thoughts, human passions, human impulses, human activities. "He worketh in the children of disobedience." As a worker — 1. His inspiration is malignant. "He is a roaring lion." He is not a sleeping lion, nor a lion crouching down, satiated with food, but a lion roaring with hunger, savage for food. 2. His purpose is destruction. "Seeking whom he may devour." The devil is a devourer physically. The devil is a devourer spiritually. He is a devourer of purity of heart, peace of conscience, confidence in and fellow ship with the everlasting Father. The devil is a devourer socially. He is a devourer of domestic harmony, social order, prosperity, and peace. The devil is a devourer politically. He is a devourer of civil freedom, national progress, inter national harmony. II. We have the devil here COUNTERACTED BY HUMANITY. Three things are necessary to counteract him — 1. Thoughtfulness — "Be sober." This does not mean mere physical sobriety, although, of course, it includes that — it means sobriety of soul, a state of mind opposed to all volatile excitement. Were men to think whence they came, what they are, whither they are tending, the devil would not easily influence them. 2. Diligence — "Be vigilant." Be vigilant in building up moral fortresses around your soul, so as to resist his entrance. 3. Steadfastness — "Whom resist, steadfast in the faith." Is it wise in a town to ignore the pestilence that has entered its streets and carried death to its homes? How infinitely more unwise is it to ignore this roaring lion! (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: |
    |