He doesn't always reveal himself in obvious ways, but he's there, patient, persistent, persuasive.
He seems to know us better than anyone else, and at times it feels as though his will for our lives might even align with our own desires. After all, he speaks in the language of comfort, ease, and self-justification — and who could resist something that feels so familiar, so reassuring, so much like what we already want?
He tells us that obedience to him will bring us peace. That if we follow his lead, we will find freedom from guilt, acceptance from others, and the joy of doing what feels right. His voice rarely shouts — it murmurs. It adapts. It bends itself to suit our mood and moment....
... sometimes, it even borrows holy words. It makes promises that sound divine, but which slowly shift our gaze away from Heaven and towards ourselves. He knows how to clothe lies in beauty, how to dress disobedience in reason, and how to make rebellion look like liberation.
He offers eternity, too. An eternity where we can live without restraint, without repentance, without sacrifice. An eternity where the word "sin" becomes obsolete and where the cross is seen as unnecessary. He whispers, "You deserve better than suffering. You were made for more than rules." He tempts us to believe that we can be our own gods, that obedience to him will bring enlightenment and fulfilment. And if we listen long enough, if we drift far enough, we might even begin to mistake his voice for the voice of God Himself.
He stays close, because he knows that if he can't frighten us, he can flatter us. If he can't destroy us through terror, he'll do it through pride. He knows our weaknesses — because he studies them. He watches us as a hunter studies its prey. He is patient enough to wait until the moment is right, until we're tired, hurt, distracted, or alone. And then, he moves closer still.
The Prowling Lion Revealed
"Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
(1 Peter 5:8, RSV-CE)
The truth is unveiled. The one who stays close, whispering, tempting, and flattering — is not God at all, but the enemy of God. He wants us to obey him, yes — but only so that we might share his eternal ruin. He does not want our joy; he wants our destruction. He does not want our freedom; he wants our slavery. Every time we sin, every time we turn our back on grace, every time we choose self over sacrifice, he rejoices.
From the moment of our birth to the moment of our death, we are in conflict. We are born into a world where good and evil wrestle for the soul of every man and woman. This is not poetic exaggeration — it is spiritual reality. The battle begins with our first breath and only ends when we stand before God. The devil never stops prowling; temptation never fully retreats. But neither does God ever abandon us. Our whole life, then, becomes a test of loyalty — a daily choice between the Lion who devours and the Lion who saves.
This is the lion of Satan — the false lion, the deceiver, the imitator of majesty. His roar is fearsome not because it is powerful, but because it echoes the real thing. He mimics strength, courage, and authority — but he has none of these truly. He prowls around, waiting for those whose faith has grown weary, whose vigilance has waned, whose spiritual armour has dulled with neglect.
The Enemy's Tactics
Satan's genius lies in imitation. He cannot create, but he can corrupt. He cannot love, but he can counterfeit affection. He cannot command life, but he can promise it falsely. His goal is to twist what God has made good, to warp our instincts for love and truth until they serve his ends.
He whispers into friendships and turns them into indulgence.
He whispers into ambition and turns it into pride.
He whispers into rest and turns it into sloth.
He whispers into anger and turns it into hatred.
He whispers into love itself — and turns it into lust.
Every temptation he presents is a distortion of something holy. He knows that the most effective way to draw us in is not by offering ugliness, but by offering beauty detached from truth. That is why his voice can sound so convincing. That is why so many fall.
He wants us to forget that the true Lion — the Lion of Judah — has already triumphed. Satan's roar is a counterfeit of Christ's authority. The devil's "majesty" is a hollow echo of divine kingship. And yet, because we are often spiritually drowsy, the false lion's noise can sound impressive, even persuasive.
The False Lion's Lair
His favourite place to dwell is in half-truths. He prowls the grey areas, where sin can hide beneath excuses. He will rarely tempt us to deny God outright — that would be too obvious. Instead, he lures us to compromise, to soften, to reason away the Gospel.
He loves phrases like: "God will understand," or "At least I'm not as bad as others."
He thrives in lukewarm hearts and distracted prayers.
Satan's lair is not always a dark cave; sometimes it's a busy schedule, a glowing screen, a restless heart. He delights in noise and confusion because silence and prayer expose him. He delights in anger and gossip because humility and forgiveness crush him. He delights in despair because hope defeats him.
Putting On the Armour of the Holy Spirit
St Paul gives us one of the greatest weapons against the prowling lion — the call to "put on the whole armour of God" (Ephesians 6:11). For from birth until death, we are soldiers in a spiritual war that rages unseen. The Holy Spirit equips us daily with divine protection that no force of hell can penetrate.
"Therefore take the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
(Ephesians 6:13, RSV-CE)
This armour is not symbolic; it is spiritual reality. Each piece is forged in grace:
The Belt of Truth — keeps us grounded in honesty and faithfulness, so the deceiver's lies find no foothold.
The Breastplate of Righteousness — guards our hearts from the corruption of sin.
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace — prepare us to walk in charity, even through conflict.
The Shield of Faith — deflects the fiery darts of doubt and despair.
The Helmet of Salvation — protects our minds with the knowledge that Christ has already conquered.
The Sword of the Spirit — the Word of God itself, which cuts through deception and fear.
Every Christian is born into battle, and the battleground is the human heart. This life-long conflict is not fought with earthly weapons but with the power of the Holy Spirit. Prayer sharpens our sword; confession polishes our armour; the Eucharist strengthens our spirit. Without these, the prowling lion finds us defenceless. With them, we stand firm in victory.
Standing Firm Against the Prowler
St Peter continues in that same passage:
"Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world."
(1 Peter 5:9, RSV-CE)
We resist not by shouting at the darkness, but by clinging to the light. Satan flees from holiness because holiness reminds him of his defeat. He flees from prayer because it unites us to the God who conquered him. He flees from confession because mercy humiliates him. He flees from the Eucharist because the real Lion — the Lion of Judah — reigns there in majesty and victory.
Satan's lair is not always a dark cave; sometimes it's a busy schedule, a glowing screen, a restless heart. He delights in noise and confusion because silence and prayer expose him. He delights in anger and gossip because humility and forgiveness crush him. He delights in despair because hope defeats him.
Putting On the Armour of the Holy Spirit
St Paul gives us one of the greatest weapons against the prowling lion — the call to "put on the whole armour of God" (Ephesians 6:11). For from birth until death, we are soldiers in a spiritual war that rages unseen. The Holy Spirit equips us daily with divine protection that no force of hell can penetrate.
"Therefore take the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
(Ephesians 6:13, RSV-CE)
This armour is not symbolic; it is spiritual reality. Each piece is forged in grace:
The Belt of Truth — keeps us grounded in honesty and faithfulness, so the deceiver's lies find no foothold.
The Breastplate of Righteousness — guards our hearts from the corruption of sin.
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace — prepare us to walk in charity, even through conflict.
The Shield of Faith — deflects the fiery darts of doubt and despair.
The Helmet of Salvation — protects our minds with the knowledge that Christ has already conquered.
The Sword of the Spirit — the Word of God itself, which cuts through deception and fear.
Every Christian is born into battle, and the battleground is the human heart. This life-long conflict is not fought with earthly weapons but with the power of the Holy Spirit. Prayer sharpens our sword; confession polishes our armour; the Eucharist strengthens our spirit. Without these, the prowling lion finds us defenceless. With them, we stand firm in victory.
Standing Firm Against the Prowler
St Peter continues in that same passage:
"Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world."
(1 Peter 5:9, RSV-CE)
We resist not by shouting at the darkness, but by clinging to the light. Satan flees from holiness because holiness reminds him of his defeat. He flees from prayer because it unites us to the God who conquered him. He flees from confession because mercy humiliates him. He flees from the Eucharist because the real Lion — the Lion of Judah — reigns there in majesty and victory.
The Lion of Judah
The Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ, is not prowling — He is reigning.
He does not devour; He delivers.
His roar is not a sound of fear, but of triumph over death.
Revelation tells us:
"Weep not; lo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered."
(Revelation 5:5, RSV-CE)
This is the Lion we must follow. His kingdom is not built on lies but on love; not on manipulation but on mercy. He calls us to obedience not because He is a tyrant, but because He is Truth itself — and only in truth can we be free.
Recognising the True Voice
How then can we tell the difference between the voice of the Lion of Judah and the hiss of the prowling lion?
The true Lion leads us to humility; the false one leads us to pride.
The true Lion draws us to others; the false one isolates us.
The true Lion offers peace even in suffering; the false one promises comfort without cost.
The true Lion reminds us of our sin to heal us; the false one reminds us of our sin to condemn us.
The true Lion points always to the Cross; the false one avoids it.
If a "spiritual voice" tells you that the Cross is unnecessary, or that you are too sinful to be forgiven, or that holiness is impossible — that is not God speaking. That is the lion on the prowl.
The Lion of Judah in Battle
Christ's victory is not just symbolic. When He descended into hell after His death on the Cross,
"Weep not; lo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered."
(Revelation 5:5, RSV-CE)
This is the Lion we must follow. His kingdom is not built on lies but on love; not on manipulation but on mercy. He calls us to obedience not because He is a tyrant, but because He is Truth itself — and only in truth can we be free.
Recognising the True Voice
How then can we tell the difference between the voice of the Lion of Judah and the hiss of the prowling lion?
The true Lion leads us to humility; the false one leads us to pride.
The true Lion draws us to others; the false one isolates us.
The true Lion offers peace even in suffering; the false one promises comfort without cost.
The true Lion reminds us of our sin to heal us; the false one reminds us of our sin to condemn us.
The true Lion points always to the Cross; the false one avoids it.
If a "spiritual voice" tells you that the Cross is unnecessary, or that you are too sinful to be forgiven, or that holiness is impossible — that is not God speaking. That is the lion on the prowl.
The Lion of Judah in Battle
He stormed the gates of the enemy's kingdom. He tore down the walls of death and led souls into eternal life. The prowling lion was silenced. His roar turned to a whimper.
From that moment, his only weapon left has been deceit.
Every Mass is a reminder of this triumph. When we kneel before the Eucharist, we kneel before the conquering Lion. The altar is not a mere table — it is the battlefield where the victory of Calvary is renewed. Every "Amen" we say, every "Lord, have mercy" we whisper, every "Our Father" we pray, drives the false lion back into the shadows.
Staying Vigilant
Still, the danger remains. Until the final judgment, the enemy prowls. He cannot snatch us from God's hand, but he can tempt us to let go. He cannot destroy grace, but he can distract us from it.
So we must stay sober and alert. We must guard our eyes, our ears, our thoughts, and our speech. We must feed our souls daily on Scripture and prayer. We must confess often, receive the sacraments with devotion, and keep the company of those who help us stay faithful.
We must never grow overconfident. The prowling lion feeds on spiritual pride. The moment we think we're too holy to fall, he strikes. But humility, repentance, and perseverance starve him.
From our first cry at birth to our final breath, we are warriors in this unseen war — but not alone. The Holy Spirit stands beside us, armouring us in grace, and Christ Himself leads us as our victorious King.
Every Mass is a reminder of this triumph. When we kneel before the Eucharist, we kneel before the conquering Lion. The altar is not a mere table — it is the battlefield where the victory of Calvary is renewed. Every "Amen" we say, every "Lord, have mercy" we whisper, every "Our Father" we pray, drives the false lion back into the shadows.
Staying Vigilant
Still, the danger remains. Until the final judgment, the enemy prowls. He cannot snatch us from God's hand, but he can tempt us to let go. He cannot destroy grace, but he can distract us from it.
So we must stay sober and alert. We must guard our eyes, our ears, our thoughts, and our speech. We must feed our souls daily on Scripture and prayer. We must confess often, receive the sacraments with devotion, and keep the company of those who help us stay faithful.
We must never grow overconfident. The prowling lion feeds on spiritual pride. The moment we think we're too holy to fall, he strikes. But humility, repentance, and perseverance starve him.
From our first cry at birth to our final breath, we are warriors in this unseen war — but not alone. The Holy Spirit stands beside us, armouring us in grace, and Christ Himself leads us as our victorious King.
Hope in the True Lion
Take courage, dear reader. The Lion of Judah has already triumphed. We are not alone in this struggle. Every temptation resisted, every sin confessed, every act of charity, is a victory in His name. When we stand firm in faith, we echo His roar of victory across the ages.
Let us cling to that Lion — not the deceiver who prowls in shadows, but the Saviour who reigns in glory. And when the false lion prowls near, whispering lies in the night, let us remember the words of St James:
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
(James 4:7, RSV-CE)
And let us remember daily to put on the full armour of the Holy Spirit — for from the moment of our birth to the moment of our death, we are in conflict, yet never abandoned.
A Prayer for the Rest of the Week
For all who read this blog post and all who never will
Lord Jesus Christ, Lion of Judah and King of Kings, guard our souls from the prowling lion who seeks to devour. Clothe us daily in the armour of Your Holy Spirit — the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of Your Word. From our first breath to our last, keep us steadfast in faith, humble in heart, and alert in spirit. May we hear Your true voice above all deceit, and follow You through every trial and temptation. Strengthen those who feel weak, forgive those who have fallen, and remind us daily that Your victory is complete.
Amen.
Let us cling to that Lion — not the deceiver who prowls in shadows, but the Saviour who reigns in glory. And when the false lion prowls near, whispering lies in the night, let us remember the words of St James:
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
(James 4:7, RSV-CE)
And let us remember daily to put on the full armour of the Holy Spirit — for from the moment of our birth to the moment of our death, we are in conflict, yet never abandoned.
For all who read this blog post and all who never will
Lord Jesus Christ, Lion of Judah and King of Kings, guard our souls from the prowling lion who seeks to devour. Clothe us daily in the armour of Your Holy Spirit — the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of Your Word. From our first breath to our last, keep us steadfast in faith, humble in heart, and alert in spirit. May we hear Your true voice above all deceit, and follow You through every trial and temptation. Strengthen those who feel weak, forgive those who have fallen, and remind us daily that Your victory is complete.
Amen.
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