Two Lions

Jarrod Jacobs 

            There are two lions that figure prominently in the Bible. In the Bible, we see that these two lions are continually fighting against one another. Specifically, they are fighting over us.

Are you aware of these lions? The Bible tells us that:

• One lion brings fear to us, while the other brings comfort (Phil. 2:1).

• One lion fights against us (is our adversary, I Pet. 5:8), while the other fights for us (is our advocate, I Jn. 2:1).

• One lion hates us, and one lion loves us.

• One lion wants us to die in our sins, while the other died for the remission of our sins (Matt. 26:28).

• One lion roars at us (I Pet. 5:8), while the other acts like a lamb toward us (Jn. 1:29).

• One lion wants to devour us (I Pet. 5:8), but the other wants to preserve us.

• One lion lies to us (Jn. 8:44), but the other speaks the truth to us (Jn. 14:6).

• One lion tempts us with evil (I Jn. 2:15-16), but the other does not tempt us with evil (Jas. 1:13).

• One lion is our enemy (I Pet. 5:8). The other lion is our friend (I Jn. 2:1).

            It should be obvious that the two lions are Christ and Satan. When we contrast Christ and Satan in this way, may it open our eyes to see the One who truly deserves our praise, obedience, and love. Jesus, the lion of the tribe of Judah, stands ready to receive us when we render obedience to Him through faith, repentance, and baptism (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38). He wants us to live faithfully for Him (Rev. 2:10). Will you do that? What is stopping you from submitting your will to Christ’s?

Don’t Open The Door To The Devil

Jarrod Jacobs

            It has been said, “If you don’t open the door to the devil, he goes away.” Truly, the only way for the devil to have an effect upon your life is for you to open to door to him. Satan, “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Pet. 5:8). Why is it that he can “devour” some and not others? It is because some resist the devil, while others do not (Jas. 4:7).

            This begs the question: “To what extent are we resisting the devil?” Paul warned to “make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Rom. 13:14). It is a sad fact that some, while saying they are resisting the devil, will make “provisions” for doing the very thing they protest! Do we merely resist Satan when it is something we don’t want to do anyway? Please remember that sin has its pleasures (Heb. 11:24-25). Yet, they are temporary. Therefore, the sins we find “pleasurable” will be harder to resist. (This is not to say that all pleasure is sinful, merely that sin can be pleasurable.) John said, “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (I Jn. 2:17). Are we doing our best to resist Satan at all times, or are we merely resisting when we feel like it? Paul said, “We are not ignorant of (Satan’s) devices” (II Cor. 2:11). Let us understand that Satan uses such things as envy, lies, lusts, greed, and pride to lead us away from God. We each are responsible for our actions (Col. 3:25), and we each allow Satan into our lives by choice. Will we succumb to his devices, or will we resist him so that he will flee from us (Jas. 4:7)? Choose wisely.