I’ve been thinking about the devil prowling around—how Peter describes in his first letter, that we have an adversary that’s like a lion wanting to eat us. And I try to actively reflect on this most days, the actuality of an entity, a being that is actively and constantly working against us, to devour us.

(I should probably pause to let that sink in a bit.)

From my perspective, it seems that evil and sin have become so watered down, on one end of the spectrum, to even being celebrated in many scenarios at the other end. All of it has become wrapped up in very abstracted understanding.

It’s philosophical, conceptual, arguable, detachable, projectable, ignorable… It’s real if we think about it, but not as real when we live with it.

The imagery of a lion prowling around, looking to devour us may seem metaphorical, but I think it’s probably more spot-on to the reality of it. I’m reminded of the first description of sin in the Bible, in Genesis, when Cain is angry about the offerings. God asks him, Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-7 ESV)

Sin is some predator crouching and lying in wait for me. It’s described as a being that has desires that are against me. And the result is always death.

I’m grateful for how Peter concludes his first letter, sort of like a splash of cold water to the face to snap me out of any delusions I may have of what’s real. The portrait that the Bible paints of sin/evil/devil is that of a willful entity that is constantly exerting desire upon, over, and against us to break, take, and kill us.

The metaphor is a prowling lion. The reality is a murderous enemy.

I’m more grateful for the larger story of Jesus that all of this fits in.