Heard a Lion Roar Lately?

1 Peter 5:8
Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

My mother told me that she likes to think of her children as clear-minded kids who did no wrong. When I talk to her about some of the things I did when I was younger, she does not like to hear about it. She only wants in her mind the happy thoughts about her children, and does not like thinking about things we did, that were irresponsible.

When the Lion Rode With Me

When I was growing up, I had a wild streak in me, and I was always looking for excitement. I had friends who did things, though they were exciting, were dangerous and not considerate of others. One friend named Danny and I were always finding something exciting to do. The things we did then I would not want my children doing, and I would by no means think of doing now.

One day I went to Danny’s house, as I had not seen him in several months. When I pulled up in his driveway, he saw me and turned around and started walking away. I said; “Hey Danny, its me David,” but he kept walking so I followed him. I asked him, “whats going on”, but he kept walking as I followed him. When he was behind his garage he turned and looked at me crossing his arms with a big grin on his face. I said; “What up?” And he pointed off to my right, and there, a full grown African Lion was crouched waiting to pounce on me. The second I looked a the lion he lunged, wrapping his huge paws around my legs and putting my knees in his mouth. My heart jumped into my throat. Danny ran toward the lion and said; “Anthony, let him go!” The lion let go and took off running around the garage. I wasn’t hurt just in shock.

Like I said, I was always in for adventure so Danny and I decided to give Anthony a ride in my 4 door impala car. We thought it would be cool for people to see us driving around with a lion in the back seat, and Anthony was so big he took up the entire back seat. We drove by my Aunt’s house to show her the lion. When we arrived I went around thru the back yard to the back door. My cousin answered the door and let out a scream, “Quick, get the dog, David’s got a lion!” then she slammed the door and scared Anthony and he took off. He pulled the chain out of Danny’s hand and ran around the house and down the street. We finally caught him and decided to take him back to Danny’s house. On the way, Anthony grabbed a blanket on the floorboard and started tearing it up. Danny tried to take it from him and Anthony got mad and growled. Then Danny asked me to stop and get my tire tool out of the trunk. I wasn’t too sure about doing that, but I did and handed it to Danny. Then Danny tried to get the blanket again and Anthony growled at him, so he raised the tire tool threatening the lion. Danny managed to get the blanket, but also made Anthony really mad. I was a little concerned on the way back but we made it there. Then I let them out, I said goodby and left.

Why a Lion Won’t Roar

When we read the scripture that the devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking who he may devour, there is a misnomer in that, since lions don’t roar seeking prey. They are very quite stealth hunters, just like Anthony was quite when he pounced on me. I am led to believe, the devil going about as a “ROARING” lion, has no teeth or claws, and he is just trying to scare his victims into hurting themselves. A real lion is very dangerous, and can really devour their prey. I found out later, after I took Danny and Anthony back home, that Danny took the lion into the garage and Anthony attacked him and tried to kill him. He was barely able to escape with his life. He had over 100 stitches in various places sowing up the tears. He called Lions country safari in Dallas from the hospital and had them come pick Anthony up and take him back. Apparently the tire tool didn’t work too well showing Anthony who was boss.

The good part is I am a changed person. I would not ride around with a lion again, nor be inconsiderate of others, possibly endangering their lives with my escapades. Jesus has made me a new creation, old things are passed away and all things are made new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

This song describes the transformation that has happened to me:

I am covered over with a robe of righteousness that Jesus gave to me
I am covered over with the precious blood of Jesus and He lives in me
Oh what joy it is to know my heavenly Father loves me so He gives to me. My Jesus
Cause when He looks at me, He sees not what I use to be, but He sees Jesus

Friends, Jesus came to set us free from our sins and the teeth-less lion roar of the devil, so that we could be new creations in Him, and live a life filled with joy without crazy escapades!