Satan as a Roaring Lion.
Satan disguises himself as a roaring lion, seeking to devour and destroy us, and we must be vigilant, sober, and watchful to resist his adversary.
Watchman Nee emphasizes the need for vigilance against Satan, who prowls like a roaring lion seeking to devour believers. He warns that the adversary often disguises himself, using human voices to create confusion and fear, urging Christians to remain steadfast in faith and not to act impulsively under pressure. Nee highlights the importance of recognizing the spiritual battle behind the scenes, as even well-meaning individuals can be unwittingly used by the enemy. Believers are encouraged to remain calm and discerning, waiting for God's guidance amidst the clamor of voices. Ultimately, understanding the enemy's tactics is crucial for maintaining spiritual victory.
Text
Satan also goes about in various disguises. Peter writes, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as A ROARING LION, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist, stedfast in the faith" (1 Peter, v. 8, 9). Are you quite sure you must be a special exception, and that he will not "devour you, nor touch you? If not, then "be sober," never be off guard one minute. Be watchful, for your adversary "walketh about." He is your adversary as well as Christ's, and he goes about roaring as a lion, making a noise which deafens and frightens so many. The adversary "roars" by stirring up "flesh and blood." He as a spirit must find channels for his working. If he "roars" he must find a human voice to roar through.
Therefore the children of God should be on guard, and never act under the pressure of others, nor come to decisions in a time of storm. When there is clamour and strife of tongues, they should wait and be still. The adversary's "roar" is to drive them into a false step, and out of the calm, clear knowledge of the will of God. Always recognise the adversary behind flesh and blood when there is a clamour of voices, and stand still in the position of victory. When your eyes are opened to see and understand the devices of the enemy, you will lose sight of "flesh and blood," and realise that you must never act under the clamour of men. Alas, alas, the roaring lion can hide behind the greatest saint! Not with the saint's conscious co-operation, of course, but none the less true on that account.
This is one of the solemn things we have to learn to-day, as we discover how the enemy can use some of God's best children unconsciously to themselves, simply because they are not awake to his power and his devices.
The reason for this is that Satan works on the "natural" man. He makes the "natural man" come to you with his viewpoint (see Matt. xvi, 22, 23), and his alarming pictures but you do not see the "roaring lion" in that; so you get frightened and wonder whether you are in the will of God; you get confused and lose your guidance, and the devil accomplishes his purpose.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Satan's Disguises - The Roaring Lion's Purpose
- II points: - The Adversary's Methods - Stirring Up Flesh and Blood
- III points: - The Importance of Vigilance - Being Sober and Watchful
- IV points: - Recognizing the Adversary - Standing Still in Victory
Key Quotes
“Are you quite sure you must be a special exception, and that he will not 'devour you, nor touch you?'” — Watchman Nee
“The adversary 'roars' by stirring up 'flesh and blood'.” — Watchman Nee
“When your eyes are opened to see and understand the devices of the enemy, you will lose sight of 'flesh and blood', and realise that you must never act under the clamour of men.” — Watchman Nee
Application Points
- We must be vigilant and watchful to resist Satan's adversary, who seeks to devour and destroy us.
- We must not act under the pressure of others or come to decisions in a time of storm, but rather wait and be still.
- We must recognize the adversary behind flesh and blood and stand still in the position of victory.