Answer
Some Christians fear the devil, while others ignore him or underestimate his power. In 1 Peter 5:8–11, the apostle Peter urges believers to know their enemy and understand what he is like. As Christians, we are engaged in a life-and-death spiritual battle, and it is crucial not to misjudge Satan’s power or be ignorant of his schemes. Peter writes, “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. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are” (verses 8–9, NLT).
Lions are a recurring symbol in the Bible, often representing strength and courage. However, in 1 Peter 5:8, the devil is likened to a lion, a stark contrast to the noble image usually conveyed by that animal. This comparison serves as a warning, revealing critical aspects of the devil’s nature as he roars and prowls, seeking to destroy.
The devil is like a lion in that he is dangerous. First-century believers familiar with the bloody spectacle of death in the Roman colosseums would understand the deadly threat of lions. They would also be aware of the many depictions in Psalms of enemies crouching in cover and lying in wait to “tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me” (Psalm 7:2; see also Psalm 10:9–10; 17:12; 22:13–21; 35:17; 58:6).
Believers must recognize and respect that the devil is a dangerous and formidable adversary. He is sly as a serpent (Genesis 3:1–5), slithering up and deceiving us when we least expect it (2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9; 20:2–3). He is a destroyer (Revelation 9:11) and accuser (Job 1:8–11; Zechariah 3:1–2; Revelation 12:10). He is cunning (2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:14; Ephesians 6:11), intelligent, and powerful (1 John 5:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10; Revelation 13:13–14).
The devil is like a lion in that he prowls this world. Ephesians 2:2 describes him as “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” Jesus calls him “the prince of this world” (John 12:31; see also John 14:30; 16:11). The devil lives on this earth and roams around from place to place. In this fallen world, believers reside in enemy-occupied territory. We must be vigilant, knowing an attack could occur at any moment.
For this reason, Peter says, “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith” (1 Peter 5:9, NLT). God has not left us defenseless. He has given us spiritual armor—the whole armor of God—to wear as believers. This armor is God’s powerful protection, shielding us against the devil’s schemes and enabling us to stand our ground when the devil comes at us like a lion (see Ephesians 6:10–24). We can take up the shield of faith and trust in God in all circumstances to extinguish the flaming darts of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16). We don’t have to be afraid of the devil when we are wearing God’s armor. Instead, we do as James says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
The devil is like a lion in that he roars. His roar is mighty and far-reaching. With it, he seeks to claim his territory, boast of his power, and terrify his prey. But Scripture reveals that the devil is a great pretender (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15). The child of God knows the Word of Truth (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:15) and has the Spirit of Truth inside (John 14:17; 16:13; 1 John 4:6). God’s child cannot be harmed by Satan’s roar (Romans 8:37; 1 John 2:13–14). Jesus came to destroy the devil’s power (1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14–15). As believers in Jesus, God is on our side, and no enemy can prevail against us (Romans 8:31–33).
The devil is still actively roaming and roaring throughout this earth like a lion. He is powerful and ferocious. But those who put their faith in Jesus Christ have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13, NLT). Jesus gave His life to free us from Satan’s dominion (Titus 2:14). Christ disarmed the devil through His victory on the cross (Colossians 2:15). In the end, God will crush the devil under our feet (Romans 16:20).
Until then, we stand firm against the devil in the victorious name of Jesus, just as young David stood against the giant Goliath in the name of the Lord (1 Samuel 17:45–50). We resist the devil with the Word of God in the same way Jesus did (Matthew 4:1–11), and we stay alert by persisting in prayer (Ephesians 6:17–18).
