This week, as we look further into Fixing My Eyes On Jesus, we are taking note that we cannot Ignore Satan, for he is real. In simpler terms, we cannot be so heavenly-minded that we forget that we have an enemy to contend with daily. The Apostle Peter tells us clearly, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV).

We live in a world that often treats Satan like a myth, a cartoon villain, or a symbolic figure of evil. But the Scripture is clear, Satan is not a metaphor, he is real, strategic, cunning, and relentless. To ignore his presence is to walk blindfolded through a battlefield. To be complacent in our walk with God, is to be caught unawares by Satan, our enemy, wounded on the battlefield. It is because of our spiritual walk that we need to be ever conscious of Satan our enemy.

Too many believers fall into spiritual complacency, thinking that if they don’t bother the devil, he won’t bother them. But the Word of God paints a very different picture. Jesus Himself encountered Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), and He didn’t dismiss him, He confronted him with truth. If the Son of God had to resist the enemy, how much more do we, and therefore must stay alert?

The enemy’s greatest tactic is deception. In John 8:44, Jesus called Satan “the father of lies.” He doesn’t come waving red flags, he comes subtly, sowing doubt, fear, division, deception, and compromise. Ignoring him only gives him room to operate unchecked in our lives, our homes, and even our churches. Most importantly, Satan appears and approaches us through our friends, family and loved ones. Those whom we lease expect and are very close to us. Can you recall Jesus having to tell Peter who was very close to him, “Get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men?” Matthew 16:23.

Staying Sober and Vigilant Wins Battles

1 Peter 5:8 is not a suggestion but rather a command. To be sober means to remain clear-minded. To be vigilant means to be watchful and alert. The enemy is likened to a roaring lion, not because he has real power over God’s people, but because he seeks to intimidate, isolate, and destroy anyone who lets down their guard. A roaring lion is not laying idly by but rather on the prowl, has identified its prey and is on a charge of attack to devour and annihilate its enemy. As Satan is our enemy, so are we his enemy and there is no love lost between us. As participants of this spiritual warfare, we must stay sober, we must stay vigilant.

We are called not to fear Satan but to recognize him. Ephesians 6:11 urges us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” The battle is spiritual, but the victory is already secured in Christ. Still, awareness is our responsibility.

Yes, Jesus has overcome the war with the enemy, but it is our responsibility to resist the enemy and not be engaged in his ploys or found sleeping. James made it quite clear when he encouraged us with a battle plan to “Submit [ourselves] therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Ignoring Satan is not resistance. Silence is not submission to God. We must stand, speak, and live in the authority of Jesus Christ. We have been equipped for the battle, we just have to adorn ourselves at all times in our armor like faithful soldiers of the Cross of Jesus Christ boldly, vigilantly, and soberly.

To resist the devil, we must:

• Stay in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• Stay in the Word (Psalm 119:11)
• Stay connected to the body of Christ (Hebrews 10:25)
• Stay obedient to God (John 14:15)

For Satan is real, but he is not sovereign. He is a defeated foe, yet still dangerous to the unaware. Let us not be found sleeping while the enemy is working. Be awake. Be armed. Be anchored in Christ. Because while Satan roars like a lion, for he is not a lion, our Savior reigns.

BLESSINGS!