Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
August 7, 2002 Jack English
The Devil Is A Lion
Our guide said, "There they are!" I asked, "Where?" He said, "Right there, in front of us." I looked to where he was pointing to see two large African male lions lying in the tall grass less than ten feet from our vehicle. I almost stopped breathing. I knew with a single jump they could be in our open land rover and we would be only a memory.
My mind immediately thought of what the apostle Peter says: "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5.8) If it would be this easy for these lions to devour us, how much easier it must be for Satan to do so.
We had come to Zambia, Africa, to meet with church leaders and investigate how we could initiate an evangelistic effort in the Eastern Province. Though the Southern Province has had a strong church presence for decades, the Eastern Province has been largely ignored. We hoped to help change that.
After traveling over 2500 miles on primitive roads, meeting with several churches and preaching at every opportunity, we had taken a personal day to see some of Africa's wildlife. The big cats were what we all wanted to see most if given the opportunity. Our guide, Sabastian, warned us to not leave the vehicle. For some reason, as long as you stay in the truck, the animals perceive you as part of it. But once you leave the truck, you become lunch! He didn't have to tell me twice.
It is also true of the Christian's relationship to the church. As long as you remain in the body of Christ, his church, Satan will have little opportunity to harm you. But once you leave that body, it becomes open season and you become easy prey for the Devil. Why is it we are always tempted to test the rules? Too many people decide they are the exception and choose to stray from the safety of God's church to find themselves swept away by Satan.
Sabastian emphasized his warning by telling of a woman who wanted a closer encounter with lions. She left the vehicle to take a better picture. He said, after several days search, all they found was her wristwatch. I had already decided I was staying in the Toyota.
Peter also warns Christians to "be self-controlled and alert…standing firm in the faith." (1 Peter 5.8-9) The self-control it takes to remain in the faith when there are so many temptations to wander can be the difference between heaven and hell. The Devil, like the lion, will always take advantage of our weakness and ignorance.
JACK ENGLISH
Fayetteville, Ark.
