Roaring Lion or Alligator

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Have you ever watched scenes of some wild animal taking down it's prey? Whether an alligator, a shark or a lion, the lack of awareness on the part of the prey is often a major factor in allowing the capture and ultimate destruction of the prey by the hunting animal.

When the Word describes the devil as a lion seeking prey, it also warns us to be sober and vigilant.

I'm reminded of a scene where a wildebeest is standing at the edge of an alligator-infested river head down and drinking. The viewer can clearly see the alligator getting closer, until he's just a couple of feet away from the wildebeest.

Watching this I'm thinking, "Hey! Wake up!" No, the wildebeest keeps its head down and a moment later in a rush of splashing water, the alligator leaps up and grabs the animal. Within a matter of seconds, the wildebeest is dead and has been pulled into the depths of the river.

Satan is like that alligator and too often Christians are like that wildebeest. We stand around with our feet at the edge of the devil's territory, head down just drinking in the muddy water of compromise. If we're not careful we'll get dragged under.

Be sober - don't let your mind get clouded by anything

Be vigilant - keep your eyes open, on guard against an attack.

Don't allow yourself to be lulled into falling asleep while the enemy is creeping up getting ready to pounce.