Blog posts ideas don’t always pop into my head fully formed. Sometimes, I open my computer and stare at the blank page, my brain equally blank because I have no idea what to write. On those days, I use an unusual story prompt: my photo app. I open the photo file and scroll through until something catches my attention or an idea comes to mind. Today, I tried a variation on the story-prompt theme. I opened a free photo site and scrolled through until I saw the photo of the roaring lion. A verse from 1 Peter came to mind, along with a few promises of God, and a blog post was born.
The prowling lion roars
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 nasb
The lion’s roar is a terrifying sound and can be heard up to five miles away. According to lionalert.org, “lions roar to tell other lions where they are, to show how big they are, and to warn lions from other prides to keep away from their home territory.”
The lion’s roar is a loud message that says, in a way, “I’m here and so big you can’t get away. Don’t tangle with me. Don’t invade my space.” It’s a message of pride that defies other animals to venture into his territory.
Five promises of God we can claim when the lion roars:
The lion’s roar proclaims his size.
The evil one roars to proclaim his dominance over us. He would have us believe he’s the biggest, baddest lion in the area, but that’s a lie. If Scripture is true, and it is, Satan is not greater, or more powerful, than our God.
“Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
The lion’s roar proclaims his proximity.
In a way, the roar says, “I’m right on top of you. I have you now.” The enemy of our souls wants us to believe he’s so close we will not be able to resist or flee. Jesus, however, said He and His Father live in us. No matter what the enemy says, He cannot evict our Father.
“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” John 14:23
The lion’s roar proclaims his ownership.
When the lion roars to proclaim his territory, he defies other lions to risk entering. As Christians, however, we do not belong to the world or the powers of this world. Regardless of what the enemy claims, he does not have authority over us.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 nasb
The lion’s roar proclaims his power.
The roaring lion wants other lions to believe he is big enough and powerful enough to defend that which is his. In that same way, the evil one wants us to believe he is powerful enough to destroy us and that God cannot snatch us from his claws nor deliver us in time of danger and temptation.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 niv
The lion’s roar proclaims his victory.
A victory in advance of battle is nothing more than a prideful boast. We may experience battle with the evil one, but we have all we need for battle, and we fight a defeated foe.
“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13
The promises of God are all we need 
God has already given us the defensive weapons to protect ourselves from the onslaught of the evil one. He has also given us the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, which is the only offensive weapon we will ever need. We must know Scripture, however, to use it. We do have power, but we must be prepared before the lion roars.
Lions roar because that’s how they’re made. The evil one also roars with pride and defiance because that’s who he is. Fear and defeat are his objectives but we can stand firm in the face of his tactics if we remember the truth and the promises of God.
The power, authority, and ownership of our souls were bought by Jesus with His precious blood. The enemy’s claim on us is broken. We have been set free, from sin, death, and the roar of the lion.
We can live free
Today, let’s evaluate the roar of the evil one in our lives. Do we tremble with fear when he threatens? Does fear cause us to run straight into his lair? Let’s remember Whose we are and the promises of God we’ve been given and live as those who have been redeemed.
We were set free by Christ, so let’s live free.
Five promises of God every Christian should claim:
- POWER: The Lord in us is greater than the enemy of our soul. Period. (1 John 4:4)
- PRESENCE: The Lord loves His own and He makes His abode with us. The enemy cannot invade. (John 14:23)
- FREEDOM: Our Lord bought us with a price and the enemy no longer has authority or ownership of any area of our lives. (1 Cor. 6:19,20)
- PROVISION: God will provide a way out of any temptation we face. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
- VICTORY: The battle is fierce but we have all the armor and weapons we need to be victorious. (Ephesians 6:13)
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Want to read more? Here are links to a few other posts:
When the God of the Universe Knows Your Name
How to Trust God in Hard Times
Repentance and the Benefits Package
Will We Make Room for God in Our Lives?
Contentment Regardless of Circumstances
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Amen. Thank you Leanna.