Good Ground Can’t be Devoured

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

When Peter wrote about sobriety in this verse, he meant not allowing any substance, situation, or circumstance to cloud our clarity. A spiritually “drunk” believer makes decisions driven by fear, anger, impulse, and emotion. Intoxicated minds overreact to situations, speak foolishly, and get offended easily. Peter explained that the enemy prowls around seeking whom he can devour. If there are some he can, then there are also some believers he cannot devour. Who can he not devour? The ones who are sober.

A sober mind listens to the Holy Ghost first. They respond to the Lord's leading instead of reacting impulsively to others' actions. A sober believer doesn’t get blindsided because they aren’t acting spiritually foolish.

But Peter didn’t just say that believers should be sober; he also said they should be vigilant.

Vigilance means watching, discerning, and paying close attention. A vigilant believer prays before acting, waits on God’s timing, and follows the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

If you are a “good ground” believer, you are sober and vigilant, and the enemy cannot devour you. You might be attacked, but you will not be defeated. You may face lies spoken against you, but you will not be deceived. Good ground believer: stay sharp, cautious, and rooted.

Practical Application

Protect your thought life. Don’t let your emotions control your actions. Declare the Word over your thoughts and decisions daily.

Ephesians 6:11; James 4:7