Bark does not equate to bite

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. (I Peter 5:8-9)

Stay alert - that suggests we are to be aware of the fact our enemy is going to target our lives for attack after attack. He isn't content to just sit back and watch us grow closer and closer to Jesus. In fact, we most likely wouldn't grow quite as quickly or as well if he didn't formulate those attacks against us! In case you hadn't noticed, we draw closer to Jesus when under attack.

He may roar, but his teeth aren't sharp, his bite isn't penetrating, and his pounce has lost its bounce! Jesus took care of all of that at the cross. The moment we say "YES" to Jesus, like it or not, Satan sits up and takes notice of what we will do from that point forward. We need not fear him, though. We have God's armies on our side, and his Word is a weapon we must use to thwart his mocking attempts to dissuade us from pressing into relationship with Jesus.

Stand firm - not because we do this in our own strength, but because Christ gives us the foundation upon which we stand. We don't cower - we stand. We don't cover - we stand out. We don't cringe - we boldly proclaim. The Word of God is our defense. Use it! Don't be afraid to speak what you know to be true - for truth always exposes a lie. His teeth may appear threatening and his roar may unravel us at times, but we have a bold defense against his taunts.

Be strong - strength isn't just measured in terms of brawn. It is frequently measured in terms of the firmness with which we hold up against the storms that seek to tear us down. I have known big men, muscular and brawny, faced by yipping dogs nipping at their heels to turn and run! Satan would love nothing more than to nip at our heels, intending that we'd turn and run. Don't give him the satisfaction! Jesus isn't intimidated by his 'barking' and neither should we be! Just sayin!