“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:6-9, ESV)

We often talk about the devil working as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour, but do we consider what Peter says about how to keep that from happening? Consider five “devil-proofing” steps Peter says we can take:

1) Humble yourselves. Know that we cannot fight these battles alone, we need help from above. Humility over pride.
2) Cast all your anxieties upon him. It is easy to become overwhelmed, to get caught up in the little things, or to think you must have all the answers to survive. Be willing to give those things over to God and his wisdom.
3) Be sober-minded and watchful. Do not forget that he is out there. Do not pretend the danger does not exist. Stand ready for the battle you will face.
4) Resist him. This resistance can only be accomplished through your faith. You cannot punch, kick, or bite your attacker for the attack is not physical. The strength of your faith must be your resistance.
5) Know that the rest of your brethren face the same fight. Do not be tricked into thinking you are the only one facing these challenges, or that everyone else has it easier than you. Every Christian faces the same foe and must fight it using the same things you have at your disposal.