Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined]. Be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion (fiercely hungry) seeking someone to devour.

- 1 Peter 5:8-9 AMP

This passage advises us on one of the key strategies we have in this spiritual warfare we’re in.

It’s necessary to be sober minded.

Being sober minded is having a sound mind vigilant in the ways of God and grounded in your identity in Him. Firmly planted in the truths of God’s word and the truths of what you believe by faith.

In society we’re most familiar with the image of what it looks like NOT being sober or sober minded.

In such situations people tend to lack self control, be self indulgent, they have a much lower emotional threshold and can be more easily reactive, impulsive and disinhibited.

Lack of sobriety can impact a person’s thought process, memory recall and can even result in such things as “black outs” which essentially is a period of time where the person is disconnected or dissociated from person, place, time or event.

These are just a few examples of what it may look like when someone is not sober and rendered vulnerable to the plots of the enemy. I will say with all confidence this is NOT what God wants for us nor is it the way to win any battle.

You cannot defeat a devil you are not ready for!

The devil is predatorial. He prowls strategically, sometimes waiting patiently to strike; yet he is also opportunistic and seizes any moment to steal, kill and destroy not just what can be done physically, but your hopes and the substance of your faith.

He is looking for the one who is vulnerable, the one whose guard is down. If you know where you’re vulnerable then you know where to be vigilant!

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Are there areas the devil has access to? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal hidden strongholds. Are there suppressed soul ties and heart ties that still have you tied up? Are there doors to your past still cracked open? Is the hurt you harbor yet to be surrendered or forgiven? Are you being protective or prideful?

Take captive your thoughts or they will take captive of you.

Bind that which is loose under the submission of God’s word and the authority He has placed in you. Use the intimacy that God calls you to allow for self-reflection and then invite the Holy Spirit to do His good work in you.

Friends, let us be alert and cautious at all times because the enemy is on the prowl!

With Love,
Jasmine Marrero