WHO IS THIS ADVERSARY and WHAT DOES HE WANT FROM US?

In the scripture above, the devil roams around AS (or like) a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. We can and should be aware of his tactics in his attempts to 'devour' us. We need to understand his power in the world. We need to know where our protection lies as well.

JESUS is the True Lion of Judah ... The KING!

THE ROGUE

There is a 'rogue lion' and Satan is much like that. A rogue is one which has been cast out of his pride after being beaten by a challenger for leadership of his pride, or one that cannot establish a pride of his own. He then becomes a dangerous and desperate animal! It is the rogue which usually attacks a human or a village and kills with crazed ferocity out of intense hunger. In a way, Satan is a rogue. He was once a prominent and highly exalted leader in heaven until he fell from favor because of rebellion against God and was cast out. He now has a hatred for God and all who belong to Him, and seeks to kill and destroy!

~ Consider the hunting and feeding habits of the lion ~

Lions live in prides, or groups. The hunting is done primarily by the females. There is one male lion in the pride who is the leader and rules supreme. He waits until the females have downed the prey and then he comes on the scene, roaring and acting the part of the king, taking his food first, allowing the rest of the pride to feast on what he's not interested in. In a normal hunting scenario then, he waits until the prey is down and helpless, then goes in to 'devour' his meal.

For the African lion, the Wildebeest (Gnu) is one of the main sources of prey. They travel in herds and are actually a very powerful animal, with huge horns, which provide a kind of 'helmet', and a strong muscular body. When one on one with a lion, the Wildebeest is capable of gouging the lion with its horns and tossing it with such force as to inflict serious injury or even kill the lion. How then, does the lion down the Wildebeest?

The lions lie in wait near a herd of Wildebeest and wait until they notice a stray from the main herd, usually one that is weak or very young. They pick that one out and begin the chase until the victim is tired out and can run no longer. Or they can 'stampede' a herd by beginning a chase, and then pick out the weak ones. Always, though, it's the weak and feeble or the ones that can't get away which are downed.

~ THE DEMONS WHO HUNT ~

Hez

"a demon who attacks with "spiritual fiery dart of the bow"
(from the Old Testament)
This is one of the little 'hunters' .. the fiery darts!

We might look at the hunting party as a good analogy for the 'demons' who lie in wait to shoot the arrows of spiritual temptation and harassment to defeat a weakened Christian or one who is not walking close to God and relying on the protection of the Good Shepherd. Or even one who does not realize that spiritual forces of the powers of darkness are always seeking to wound or destroy.

Satan cannot defeat us if we are not weakened first and downed by the 'hunters' ... those evil spirits which are sent to torment and tempt. You see, as a rule, the male lion does not go after the strong and those who are protected within the safe confines of the herd. They would simply be too much of an opponent, and could even be that formidable foe that would destroy the lion in the process.

JESUS ... Never forget the fact that we have the GOOD SHEPHERD to protect us from the predator who seeks to devour us! He compared us with sheep when he called us His little flock. The shepherd keeps a watchful eye on the flock, and we must stay near Him. When we're guided in the right direction by heeding His Words and teachings and abiding in His love and He in us, we're safe and sound .

KING DAVID ... killed a lion to protect his flock. In Israel the lion was a predator of sheep, which was a common animal among the Israelites. He took the lamb right out of the mouth of the lion and later told King Saul that the Lord had delivered him out of the paw of the lion. (I Sam. 17)

DANIEL ... told the king after his night with the lions ... "My God hath sent his angel and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me ..." Dan. 6:16-22

PAUL ... wrote - "the Lord stood with me and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. II Tim 4:17

W E ARE IN A BATTLE AND
SATAN IS NOT COMPARED TO A LION FOR NOTHING!

"Therefore, humble yourselves (demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation) under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting all your care, all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all - on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully. Be well balanced, temperate, sober-minded; be vigilant and cautious at all times, for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring in fierce hunger, seeking someone to seize upon and devour."

Remember, the KEY to defeating the attacks of the demonic forces is WALKING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, CLOSE TO GOD, with HUMILITY, OBEDIENCE, FAITH, SUBMISSION, and KNOWLEDGE.

This page contains excerpts from my current Bible Study. I invite you to visit for an indepth study of this subject. And please invite your loved ones to go to the Bible Study Page, especially those who have been beaten down by the attacks of the enemy.

(Click on the link below to go to the Bible Study at New Anointing.com)

Blessings and Love in Jesus, Our Good Shepherd!

Genelle

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