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1 Peter 1:13
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

Matthew 24:48-50
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; …

your.

Esther 7:6
And Esther said, The adversary and enemyis this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

Job 1:6
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

Job 2:2
And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

the devil.

Matthew 4:1,11
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil…

Matthew 13:39
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

as.

Judges 14:5
Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.

Psalm 104:21
The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.

Proverbs 19:12
The king's wrathis as the roaring of a lion; but his favouris as dew upon the grass.

walketh.

Job 1:7
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Job 2:2
And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

devour.

Your adversary the devil
The term "adversary" is a legal term, suggesting an opponent in a court of law. In the spiritual realm, the devil is portrayed as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), constantly seeking to undermine the faith of believers. The devil's role as an adversary is rooted in the Old Testament, where he appears in the Book of Job (Job 1:6-12) as the accuser of Job. Understanding the devil as a personal and active enemy is crucial for Christians, as it underscores the reality of spiritual warfare.

prowls around like a roaring lion
This imagery of a lion is powerful and evocative, drawing on the natural behavior of lions as predators. In the ancient Near East, lions were symbols of strength and danger, often used to describe powerful enemies. The roaring of a lion can instill fear, and this metaphor highlights the devil's intimidating tactics. The lion imagery also connects to other biblical passages, such asPsalm 22:13, where David describes his enemies as roaring lions. This phrase serves as a stark reminder of the devil's aggressive nature and his intent to instill fear and chaos.

seeking someone to devour.
The devil's ultimate goal is to destroy and consume, as seen in his attempts to lead believers away from their faith. This phrase underscores the personal and targeted nature of the devil's attacks. The concept of devouring is not just physical but spiritual, aiming to erode faith and lead to spiritual death. This aligns with Jesus' warning inJohn 10:10, where He contrasts the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy with His own mission to give life abundantly. The call to resist the devil, as seen in the following verses (1 Peter 5:9), is a call to stand firm in faith, drawing strength from the community of believers and the promises of God.

“Be sober-minded…” (1 Peter 5:8)

• A clear, steady mind keeps the heart from drifting into the fog of fear or temptation (1 Thessalonians 5:6–8).

• Sobriety here is more than avoiding intoxicants; it’s spiritual self-control—thinking with eternity in view (2 Timothy 4:5).

• Such level-headedness equips believers to respond, not merely react, when trials or false teaching press in (Titus 2:2).

“…and alert.”

• Peter couples sobriety with watchfulness; a clear mind must be paired with open eyes (Mark 13:33).

• Jesus told the sleepy disciples, “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). The call hasn’t changed.

• Alertness is proactive, scanning the horizon for subtle compromise and sudden assault alike (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

“Your adversary the devil prowls around…”

• The word adversary underscores a real, personal enemy—no mere symbol of evil (Ephesians 6:11–12).

• Scripture portrays Satan as accuser (Revelation 12:10) and liar (John 8:44); his tactics range from condemnation to deception.

• He “prowls,” implying patience and strategy, much like inJob 1:7 where he roams the earth looking for an opening.

“…like a roaring lion…”

• A lion’s roar paralyzes prey with terror; the devil uses intimidation, doubt, and shame to freeze believers (Psalm 22:13).

• Yet the roar is also bluff. Christ has already “disarmed the powers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15).

• We stand firm, trusting the One who is “the Lion of Judah” (Revelation 5:5), infinitely stronger than the counterfeit.

“…seeking someone to devour.”

• His goal is destruction—of faith, witness, families, churches (John 10:10).

• The imagery is total consumption; partial surrender is never his aim.

• Still, his success is not inevitable. We resist him, “standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9) and find that he must flee (James 4:7).

• Jesus’ words to Peter, “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31–32), remind us our Protector intercedes even as the enemy stalks.

Peter’s charge is straightforward: keep a clear head and a sharp eye, because a real enemy is hunting. Spiritual sobriety and vigilance, anchored in Christ’s finished work, expose the devil’s roar for what it is—an empty threat against those who stand firm in faith.

As a roaring lion.--The epithet is not only added to lend terror to the description, but the roaring implies hunger and determination.

Walketh about.--Comp.Job 1:7;Job 2:2. St. Peter, however, is not calling attention to the fact that Satan isalways prowling about, but he warns the sleeping shepherds that he is especially doing sonow. This season of persecution was just his time for picking off one here and another there.

Seeking whom he may devour.--Perhaps still more expressive to say, "seekingwhich he may devour." Satan is eyeing all the Christians in turn to see which he has the best chance of, not merely stalking forth vaguely to look for prey.