Leading The Way - Devotional for October 3
October 3, 2025
We Need Not Live in Fear
By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.
Read 1 Peter 5:8-9.
The apostle Peter admonished the Christians in his day: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Satan wants nothing more than to devour you. Far from being powerless, he is like a mighty lion licking his chops, seeking the weak and the vulnerable—those who aren’t grounded in the Truth of God’s Word. He stalks his prey in silence, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike. Satan saves his roar until he’s trapped the unsuspecting believer in his grip. Only those who are aware will be able to see his approach and guard against his schemes. We aren’t called to be comfortable. We’re called to be alert—and shrewd.
If we want to be wise in the spiritual battle at hand, we mustn’t delude ourselves: We cannot negotiate with the devil. Compromise with the enemy will always cost us because any compromise we make with the devil is disobedience to God. He will do everything he can to lead us into rebellion against God, to dull our sense of sin and leave us vulnerable to more attacks.
Whether you acknowledge it or not, Satan is in a state of war with you. He is your adversary because the moment you said “yes” to Jesus, he lost you as his follower. He intended you to be a future companion in the Lake of Fire. But when Christ found you and saved you, He rescued you from the kingdom of darkness and brought you into the Kingdom of God (see Colossians 1:13), forever transferring your citizenship to heaven (see Philippians 3:20). Satan knows this, and he has never gotten over it—he will never have an attitude of neutrality toward you. Your new life in Christ angers him, so he will do everything he can to disconnect you from God’s strength, grace, and purpose. As a Christian, you have a target on your back.
However, Jesus has not left you defenseless. “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). I urge you to cling to this Truth daily. God has not called you to live in fear but instead to live with joy, peace, and hope in the final victory of Christ. That is your inheritance in Him. Don’t let the devil rob you of it.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for redeeming me from the kingdom of darkness and bringing me into Your eternal light. I know You are greater than the enemy and will give me strength, hope, and victory as I trust in You. May I be wise in the spiritual battle and rest in Your Truth. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon series Winning the Invisible War: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW
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