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by Kevin Pauley
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. – 1 Peter 5:8-9
There once was a king named Saul, who stood head and shoulders above all the people in his kingdom. He was tall, broad-shouldered and good looking. He came from a well-respected family and everyone looked up to him (figuratively as well as literally).[1]
But when asked, Saul would not publicly admit that he had consulted a prophet of the Lord[2]. When it came time to anoint him as king, he hid among the luggage[3]. This character flaw, this inability to associate with the godly and a public shyness to accept responsibility and ministry, were the first intimations of a much deadlier issue – his inability to simply do things God’s way.
When told to completely wipe out a nation[4], he left some alive[5]. When told to patiently wait, he charged ahead and usurped the priestly authority[6]. Thus, God took His spirit from Saul[7] and anointed another[8].
Suddenly, Saul’s real character started coming to the fore. He became paranoid. He began raving[9]. And he came to a frozen standstill when faced by a single (though very large) man, even though he had an entire army behind him[10].
Oh, he was fierce all right. He could throw a javelin at an unarmed man[11]. He could threaten and attack his own children[12]. But in the end, his fear and pride overtook him and he destroyed himself[13].
Satan is just such a fierce coward. He prowls around, roaring like a lion. He bares his fangs and threatens destruction. But in the end, his self-destructive fear and pride will overtake him and he will be no more[14].
I am not trying to demean the devil[15]. I give him his due. I make sure that I don’t underestimate my enemy. But I don’t want to overestimate him either. Greater is he who is in me than he who is in this world[16].
Perhaps you are struggling with sin and wondering if the prey of a “mighty man” can be taken from him or the captives of a “tyrant” can be rescued[17]? I proclaim to you today that we have a Savior[18], one who can enter the “strong man’s” domain and not merely take his possessions, but bind him[19]. The devil may seem big and strong, but there is a ruddy Shepherd waiting in the wings to kill our Goliaths. Submit therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you[20].
[1] 1 Samuel 9:1-2; 1 Samuel 10:23
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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