I used to watch Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. It was a documentary television program about nature and wild life. My favorite episodes were the ones featuring lions (of any kind) chasing prey. The lions watched from a distance while an unsuspecting herd of antelope or other animal grazed on vegetation or drank at the watering hole. The lion targeted animals that didn’t quite keep up with the whole group.

As soon as a target was identified, the lion began working to separate the animal from the herd and then when it was isolated, she attacked. It always worked the same. Create distance from the group, isolate the animal, attack.

The devil works the same way. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us to be alert. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. He identifies a likely subject. And then he will work to isolate his victim, and attack. His goal is to steal, kill and destory. (John 10:10)

There is good news in all of this! We are not unaware of his schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11) We know he is trying to create disunity and to isolate us from the community of believers. Stand firm against his schemes. Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7-8)

Resist means to withstand, strive against or oppose something. Here we are exhorted to stand against the enemy. Refuse to listen to his taunts, his efforts to create disunity within your circles, his attempts to isolate you. Draw near to God by staying in life giving relationships, developing humble, open spaces to share honestly and invite others into your life.

There is another phenomenon I saw on Wild Kingdom. It was animals who, when threatened by an enemy, circled up with their heads together and their hind legs out. As the enemy tried to attack or separate them, they kicked with their powerful hind legs until the enemy gave up and looked for other prey.

Let’s start this week by giving the enemy a serious kick in the jaw! If necessary, gather some friends and do it together!