1 Peter 5:8: Be Sober-Minded; Be Watchful. Your Adversary The Devil Prowls Around Like A Roaring Lion, Seeking Someone To Devour.

1 Peter 5:8

[8] Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (ESV)

There are Christians who live their lives as if their Christianity is something that they signed up for years ago, and they do not need to give it much attention thereafter. Their church attendance is sporadic at best. They could not tell you the last time they have read the Bible. The last time that they have prayed to God is when something tragic happened.

This kind of careless Christianity is not biblical. Peter warns us to stay sober-minded and watchful. We are to be ever vigilant. The enemy of your soul is prowling around, looking to devour someone. If you are not paying attention, and a lion comes near, you are sure to be attacked. Many Christians fall into temptation. They claim, "I never saw it coming." That is because they were not sober-minded and watchful.

It is particularly interesting that it is the Apostle Peter giving this warning. There was a time when he should have taken this very advice. Jesus himself warned Peter about being watchful during a very dark time. Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was very troubled, and he brought three disciples with him to watch and pray with him. Here is what happened:

Matthew 26:40–41

[40] And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? [41] Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (ESV)

Peter learned his lesson. How about you? Are you watchful? Are you living your life with your eyes fixed on Jesus? The devil is looking for Christians who are sleeping. Stay awake.