So many activities in life require preparedness. When you are in school you stayed prepared on a daily basis. There is homework that needs to be done daily and tests that come around sooner than you would like. After school is finished, so many careers require frequent educational seminars and/or periodic reading to keep you up-to-date in your respective field.
For the Christian, there is a need to be prepared so that you do not enter into temptation. You know that Satan is there at every turn of your life to destroy you. A missionary in Africa says there are three beasts that lie in wait for their prey: the lion, the leopard, and the hyena. The hyena does not devour, but attacks only the vital organs and quickly leaves after eating a few meager mouthfuls. The leopard too does not eat its prey, but desires only its blood. The lion, however, quickly devours its helpless victim, leaving not a single portion. What a perfect picture of Satan, the destroyer of souls.
The Word of God warns Christians of their arch enemy, Satan. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Yes, Satan does not want to just harm you; he wants to totally devour you. His hatred for you is greater than you can imagine. He absolutely despises the God you love. Thus, he will do anything and everything he can to bring you down. Please do not underestimate him.
How are you to be prepared against such a vile enemy? The Scriptures give you the answer: “But resist him, firm in your faith” (1 Peter 5:9a). To “resist” and be “firm” in your faith requires supernatural strength that you do not possess on your own; that strength lies in you yielding to the Holy Spirit for His power. Ask the Lord Jesus to fill you with the power to withstand Satan. Don’t wait until you are in the middle of the temptation; it may then be too late. Be prepared beforehand!
