The Hunted

Some say Satan isn’t real, but they aren’t paying attention.

Are you?

Jesus repeatedly talked about the evil one, calling him the enemy (Mt. 13:39), the evil one (Mt. 13:38), and the Father of Lies (Jn. 8:44). He doesn’t just lie, he also hunts.

Do you know what it’s like to be hunted? To be stalked day after day?

Jesus did. At the start of His ministry He stood up to Satan in the wilderness, but it wasn’t the end. Satan left Him for an opportune time (Luke 4:13). His familiarity with the tempter led Jesus to tell the disciples to pray against temptation and for deliverance from the evil one (Mt. 6:13). He prayed too, against the plans Satan had to sift the disciples (Luke 22:31) and for their general protection as well (Jn. 17:15).

The threat is real.

Paul paid attention too. He saw how active Satan is in opposing the work of God. Paul tells us warns us about how Satan traps and takes people captive (2 Tim. 2:26) and how he stops them from going where they desire (1 Thess. 2:18). He didn’t just know of the threat, Paul had first-hand experience with a messenger of Satan who tormented him (2 Cor. 12:7).

Jesus and Paul actively resisted and prayed against Satan’s work. It didn’t go unnoticed. The demon in Acts 19:15 confirms their place on Satan’s hit list. He says to the seven sons of Sceva, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”

Does he notice you?

Peter wasn’t named by the demon, but he too, knew what it was like to be hunted. He warns us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Today many say, “It won’t be me,” but a lion’s gotta eat. Just ask Bill, Carl, Ravi, and Mark. The full list is much longer. They‘re not just names on a page, they were once great, confident, bold leaders committed to the King. And now?

The lion seduced them with fame, power, and the allure of more.

It often starts with a glance followed by a word of kindness that soon blooms into an understanding conversation. Soon the lion licks his lips. He can smell his next dish. It grows from a small desire, nurtured just a bit, then one thing leads to another and soon they’ve sold it all.

Recently, two leaders I know handled Satan’s schemes differently. The first was drawn in over time, compromising little by little.

He’s in Satan’s stomach as we speak.

The second noticed his weariness; the subtle thrill he felt as he looked the lion’s way. Instead of taking one more step, he stopped. He turned around. And he ran into the Savior’s arms. He left the promise of more; more money, more influence, and more impact. He left a career in ministry. He chose the King’s praise over Satan’s pleasure. His was a step of faith that reflected his greatest love. And he is safe.

For now.

But the hunt goes on. What about you? Are you paying attention? Does Satan notice you? Has he captured your attention?

Be self-controlled and alert, dear leader. There is a hungry lion hunting you. He is stalking you day after day. Let’s pray for one another, because if one of us is eaten, we all feel it.

This post originally appeared at: The Hunted — Justin G. Gravitt (justingravitt.com)