Be on Alert!

1 Peter 5:8-9

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

Be on Alert!

Hi, this is Cherese Collins with An Encouraging Message. Have you noticed the increase of lawlessness in the world? Lawlessness, according to the Bible, is otherwise known as iniquity or sin. When a society ignores the laws set forth by the governing body, lawlessness becomes the result, and chaos ensues.

To commit sin is to be lawless. That is, the sinner breaks God's law. In this way, lawlessness is a rejection of God. Government leaders are appointed to be God's appointed representatives elected by the people to maintain order and promote righteousness in a civil society. If they're wicked and unjust, they will face God's judgment.

“Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves" (Romans 13:2). Unruly chaos stirs up fear and anxiety in the hearts of those trying to abide by governing laws. The apostle Peter warns, “Be on alert!”

We are to be respecters of the laws and fully aware of the spiritual forces causing the chaos in the world. In 1 Peter 5:8-9, the Apostle instructs the righteous in Christ to "Be of sober and alert in mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, and stand firm in the faith, because you know the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

Why are we to be called of sober mind? When an attitude of lawlessness is pervasive in the culture and we can no longer distinguish between right and wrong, they no longer know or care about moral standards. Lawless people may consider themselves very religious and spiritual and have defined God as they wish Him to be, not as He is. As true believers, we await the great Day of Judgment, and we'll see those "very religious and spiritual people" stand before the Lord and claim a connection to Him that exists only in their minds. They'll proudly profess their good deeds done in His name, only to hear Jesus say to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23). Therefore, be on alert and fear the Lord your God!

This is Cherese Collins with An Encouraging Message from Carry the Light Ministries. Thank you!

by Cherese Collins

the Torch Bearer for

Carry the Light Ministries