The Lion of This Earth

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

The large golden beast patiently waits in the tall grass of the meadow. He is beautiful with his long bushy gold mane gently blowing in the wind. His strong muscles protrude in ripples along his powerful legs. Large paws with awesome claws grace the ends of each leg. He breathes through a slightly opened mouth revealing the white swords of death contained inside. It is the eyes, the deep piercing eyes, focusing on the prey before him that reveals his evil intentions. A picture of a beautiful gazelle reflects from the moisture on his eyes. He knows he will have this one for dinner.

 

The killing machine rises slightly to a crouched position. Leg muscles strain as the massive animal slowly creeps through the tall brown grass, which camouflages his outline. Stealth comes naturally to this predator. “Pure enjoyment” describes his perception of stalking prey. With perfect timing the lion leaps with power and speed out of the grass and heads for the gazelle’s delicate neck.

 

Instantly the gazelle’s instincts react upon seeing the shadow of doom out of the corner of its eye. Its back leg muscles contract with lightning speed pulling sinew and bone for a mighty leap of escape.

 

The jaws of the lion bite down hard into the soft fur and neck muscles of the gazelle as he grabs it in its midair attempt at freedom. The gazelle is dead within seconds.

 

The lion drops his prey onto the ground. He raises his head into the sky and lets out a blood-curdling roar of victory and conquest. Birds scatter from the trees; monkeys run for the cover and wildebeest stampede for safety. The roar of the king of this earth penetrates deep into the heart of every animal for miles. He is truly king of his domain. He is king of the death of innocents.

 

Did you know that we live in a spiritual world that is very similar? We go about our physical lives often unaware of the dangers, which lurk around us in the spiritual realm. We are concerned about making it to work, what curtains we’ll buy for the living room or whether we will get to go fishing this weekend or not. In the meantime, around us lurk lions, creatures that wish us death or at least pain and suffering. These evil creatures are strong, intelligent and crafty. They are sneaky, skilled and persistent. They seek to destroy children of God or at least frustrate their lives. They have nothing but evil intentions and will do anything to keep more lost souls from finding life and peace through God’s mercy and grace made possible through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ.

 

I Peter 5:8 gives us a warning of these creatures, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Our enemy is Satan and he stalks us just like lions do their prey. He prowls around attempting to find those who are vulnerable so that he can wreak havoc in their lives. He also has a host of demonic creatures under his command who are skilled in deceptive sinful techniques of temptation.

 

While this might cause fear to stir in our hearts, we should not be afraid as long as we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Those who have become members of the family of God by repenting of their sins and accepting the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross have Jesus as their Advocate in Heaven. They have also been given the Holy Spirit to reside within them to give them divine power to resist the Devil and members of his invisible army. Scripture gives us both instruction and encouragement to face such an enemy. I Peter 5:8‑9 continues with answers that can help us cope with this prowling adversary. It says, “Be self‑controlled and alert. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” Self‑control will prevent us from providing a weakness for this devouring creature to take advantage of. Being alert will allow us to notice the situations and conditions, which would put us at risk spiritually. Finally resisting this beast and the temptations he might use to inflict pain on us and others will help us survive the attacks he might attempt.

 

Other scriptures give us instruction for our protection as well. Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the armor that we are to wear to protect and withstand the attacks of this evil one. You wouldn’t run out onto the plains of Africa naked. You would be broadcasting to any lion in the area that you would be an easy meal. Neither should you go out into this world on any day without taking up the armor of God, the protections our Heavenly Father has provided for the spiritual battles that can rage against you every day. The armor that God provides is vividly illustrated in the following passage.

 

Ephesians 6:10-18

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit,”

 

It is also important that you remember that if you are a child of God, a follower of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit lives within you. He will empower you to face spiritual battles as well as endure physical sufferings you may encounter. In order for this to take place most efficiently you must be grounded in God’s Word and keep in step with how the Holy Spirit directs you. Two parallel scripture passage speak of this important truth.

 

Ephesians 5:18

“be filled with the Spirit,”

 

Colossians 3:16

“Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you.”

 

These verses communicate to us that the Holy Spirit will fill your heart, soul and mind with His presence as you seek to fill your mind with the God’s Word. In other words, the Bible will instruct you how to live and the Holy Spirit will give you the power to live it out in your life.

 

To survive the dangers of the jungle of life and all those invisible evil creatures that prowl with it, we must follow the instructions of our Heavenly Father.

 

1. Put on the armor He has provided. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

 

2. Be self‑controlled in your behavior. (1 Corinthians 9:25, Galatians 5:23, 2 Peter 1:6)

 

3. Resist Satan and his demons. (James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8-9)

 

4. Stand firm in your faith. (1 Corinthians 16:13, 1 Thessalonians 2:15)

 

5. Pray at all times. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

 

Continue to trust that God will help you win the battles we become engaged in as long as we submit ourselves to His guidance and protection.

 

Remember…

 

1 John 4:4

“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”