I think it's amazing how the Bible uses the title "shepherd" for elders in this passage, because it's also used for Jesus in other areas of Scripture, and it is done intentionally. Within a body of believers, there are sheep, wolves and shepherds, with the chief shepherd being Jesus. Elders are appointed in a church to be shepherds of the flock, following closely to the Chief Shepherd. They are to guide the body and protect them from wolves. There are wolves in the world, and sadly, even found in the church. These people are looking to manipulate, hurt and lead others astray. A role of an elder, is to protect the sheep from these people, to pray for the flock, and lead the flock in a godly direction, building the flock up in the glory of God. Just like the devil is prowling around looking for someone to devour, so are wolves. Thank you to those who sacrifice their time and energy to be elders, to watch over and protect the sheep.
What does it mean to humble yourselves under God? I believe it means to surrender yourself completely. This takes humility. It means laying down our pride, our dreams, our control- and giving ourselves entirely to God. When we do this, we allow Him to work in us. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Luke 18:14 says: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." James 4:10 says: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." There has to be something said about humility.
If we stay proud, or continue to try and control our lives, God will sit by and watch, wishing you would just humble yourself before Him, so that instead of you steering your life in the wrong direction, He can steer your life in the best direction. You say, my life is going fine and I am not going in the wrong direction, I live a good life, and I am happy. Well, I am glad that you are happy. But, without God, you are might be steering your life in a good direction... but don't you want the best? We don't know everything. If you think you do, you are wrong. We can't see into the future. We don't know how every decision we make will turn out. But God does. That is why it is best to surrender your life- in it's entirety to Him, so that He can guide you into decisions, steering you- not a good direction, but the best direction. Are you humbled under God's mighty hand? Notice it doesn't just say hand. It says MIGHTY hand! Or are you trying to live in your own control?
Oh yes then there's the lion. "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." I love this illustration but yikes! I do not want to be the one he devours! How can we protect ourselves from him? Stand firm in your faith- arming yourself with the armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-18:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand inthe evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
In the animal kingdom, does a lion tend to go after strong prey or weak prey? The weak prey- because they are easier to attack. By arming yourself against your enemy, you make yourself a stronger prey- making it harder for your predator to "devour" you. When you, as a believer, choose to sin, you give the devil a foothold. To give the devil a foothold, in the animal illustration, would mean you have just broken a leg, making it easier for the lion to attack. I challenge you to stand firm in your faith, guard yourself with the armor of God and do not become an easy victim for the lion. Remember, he "prowls around looking for someone to devour". He is looking, waiting for a weak moment. No matter what challenge, temptation or trial comes your way- stand firm, and call out to Jesus. He is your Chief Shepherd remember, and He not only protects you from the wolves, but also from the lion. Are you going to be easy prey??
~Leanne~
What does it mean to humble yourselves under God? I believe it means to surrender yourself completely. This takes humility. It means laying down our pride, our dreams, our control- and giving ourselves entirely to God. When we do this, we allow Him to work in us. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Luke 18:14 says: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." James 4:10 says: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." There has to be something said about humility.
If we stay proud, or continue to try and control our lives, God will sit by and watch, wishing you would just humble yourself before Him, so that instead of you steering your life in the wrong direction, He can steer your life in the best direction. You say, my life is going fine and I am not going in the wrong direction, I live a good life, and I am happy. Well, I am glad that you are happy. But, without God, you are might be steering your life in a good direction... but don't you want the best? We don't know everything. If you think you do, you are wrong. We can't see into the future. We don't know how every decision we make will turn out. But God does. That is why it is best to surrender your life- in it's entirety to Him, so that He can guide you into decisions, steering you- not a good direction, but the best direction. Are you humbled under God's mighty hand? Notice it doesn't just say hand. It says MIGHTY hand! Or are you trying to live in your own control?
Oh yes then there's the lion. "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." I love this illustration but yikes! I do not want to be the one he devours! How can we protect ourselves from him? Stand firm in your faith- arming yourself with the armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-18:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand inthe evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
In the animal kingdom, does a lion tend to go after strong prey or weak prey? The weak prey- because they are easier to attack. By arming yourself against your enemy, you make yourself a stronger prey- making it harder for your predator to "devour" you. When you, as a believer, choose to sin, you give the devil a foothold. To give the devil a foothold, in the animal illustration, would mean you have just broken a leg, making it easier for the lion to attack. I challenge you to stand firm in your faith, guard yourself with the armor of God and do not become an easy victim for the lion. Remember, he "prowls around looking for someone to devour". He is looking, waiting for a weak moment. No matter what challenge, temptation or trial comes your way- stand firm, and call out to Jesus. He is your Chief Shepherd remember, and He not only protects you from the wolves, but also from the lion. Are you going to be easy prey??
~Leanne~
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