The Devourer

Our enemy is not on “Stay-at-home” orders

            He is still busy

Tempter

Deceiver & Liar

Accuser

Afflicter

Thief, Steals

Destroyer

Killer

1 Pet 5:8

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

He devours based on availability – “Seeking”

Works based on Authority (permission) or Opportunity (give place)

                        Eph 4:27 – do not give place to the devil

How do we keep from putting a sign on ourselves that reads:

            “EAT ME”

Proximity – nearness to God

James 4:6-8

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

·         Distance from the enemy – Resist

Be Humble – honest assessment of your self

1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

We have to take personal responsibility to guard against being Devoured or eaten

Be alert

We have lost some of our monitors

            Subtly send messages with our feet

Make conscious effort to stay connected

            Like eating – don’t miss a meal

Self-control

            Guard your focus

Prov 4:23

Above all else, guard your heart,

Cast your cares on Him

            If we don’t learn to do this, our cares will devour us

Condition of our heart (soil)

Luke 8:5

"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it.

Matt 13:18-19

"Therefore hear the parable of the sower:  19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

Don’t just punch the church time clock

            Seek understanding

Standing firm in the faith

Guard your resources

Mal 3:11