Dr Paul Allen

"Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8, MEV). The Scriptures are not silent on the tactical proficiency of the enemy. The Word paints the picture of a hungry lion, following the scent of blood and preying on the isolated and vulnerable. Satan has spent thousands of years honing his skills on the unsuspecting, the overly confident and the sleeping sentry who has let their guard down. Sadly, too many have been caught off guard, not because the Word fails to instruct us to be alert but because the instructions were ignored and complacency set in, resulting in disaster. Scripture gives us clear warning against becoming sedentary and self-reliant when it comes to spiritual attacks. "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12). The reason so many end up falling is due to "tactical ignorance" in the midst of the attack. An alert warr...

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” ( 1 Peter 5:8 ) Several words are used in Scripture to imply spiritual watchfulness, and each has a slightly different meaning. Only as we compare and combine these words do we get the full force of the Scripture exhortations to watchfulness. One such word is the Greek word agrupneo, translated “watch.” In Mark 13:33 we read, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” The word literally means to be sleepless and comes from two Greek words meaning “to chase” and “sleep.” It implies a purposeful and active state of awareness. More commonly used is gregoreo. It is a stronger word, meaning to arouse oneself and shake off lethargy, implying activity as on the part of one who is fully awake. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith” ( 1 Corinthians 16:13 ), and “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” ( Colossians 4:2 ). “Watch ...