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Category Archives: Leadership

Ungodly Leaders

13 Mar
Ungodly Leaders

We’re continuing our walk through the epistle of Jude. He’s been showing us how to spot and avoid false teachers.

He used a lot of analogies in his writing. Now we come to his conclusion of this section. He makes his description plainer.

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Jude 14-16 NIV

I think it’s clear from this section that the key word is “ungodly”. Their life and “ministry” are all about themselves and what people think about them.

One important thing we need to realize is that ungodliness itself does not make you unsaved. There is a such thing as an ungodly Christian. However, if you continue long enough and far enough into ungodliness, you could lose your standing in Christ.

A number of years ago I was leading a high school boy’s Bible Study at a Christian school. A question that I got asked on a regular basis was, “Can I ___________ and still be a Christian?”

The blank was different every time, but the attitude was the same. It might have been about alcohol, dancing, R-rated movies, or rock music. The focus was the same each time it was asked. They were basically asking me, “How close to the world can I go and still make it to Heaven?”

Unfortunately, that’s the way a lot of Christians live out their lives. They look at the “religious” side of their life. They read the Bible, pray regularly, and go to church. So, they’re okay. The rest of the time they do what they want. In our society they’re considered good Christians.

That’s what ungodly church leaders are like. They want to look the part – super spiritual in front of others. All the while they’re self-absorbed. Many times, you can see it in their conversation.

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

2 Timothy 2:16

Here Paul is warning a young pastor not to get involved in godless talk because it leads you further into ungodliness. That makes it clear that a Christian can be ungodly to a point. But what does that mean?

Simply put, ungodliness means that you live each day with no thought of God being involved in your life. You can be saved, on your way to Heaven, and love Jesus. But in your daily life you don’t look for God to have a big role.

You make your plans for the day or the week ahead. Then you go before God in prayer and ask Him to bless it. You may not want to hear this, but that is an ungodly lifestyle. You’re not unsaved, you’re not an evil person; you’re just living a godless lifestyle.

Godly leaders cannot live this way. The Scripture gives us the pattern of life that will bring God, Himself into our daily lives. He should affect all that we do.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…

Titus 2:11-13

Jude wants believers, especially church leaders, to avoid the traps of ungodliness.

Question: What does it mean to get God involved in our daily lives?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 13, 2026 in Leadership, Ministry, Spiritual Walk

 

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Wandering Stars

11 Mar
Wandering Stars

We’re currently studying Jude’s small letter. He’s dealing with the subject of false teachers. He wants us to be able to spot and avoid their ways.

They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

Jude 13 NIV

In my last post we looked at Jude’s wild wave analogy. Today we see that he calls them wandering stars.

That’s an interesting way to look at them and I need to explain it. First, we need to see that stars in general seem to rotate around the earth. Now, we know that’s not actually the case, but it appears that way because it’s the earth that’s rotating.

So, to the ancient people, all of the stars seemed to be marching in unison through the night sky. There were some notable exceptions to this. I’m talking about the planets that we can see with the naked eye. These are Mercury, Mars, and Venus to name a few.

The thing about planets is that they don’t travel through the sky with the stars. They take their own path because they orbit the sun.

Why am I talking about planets? Because that’s what Jude is referring to in this section. The Greek word for wandering in this verse is actually planetai, from which we get the English word, planet.

Why is this important? It’s all about agreement.

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

The analogy is this: All of the stars agree on the direction they’re heading. The planets, however, have their own idea of where they should go. These false teachers are not following the sound doctrine of Christ. They have their own way of thinking.

Please remember, agreement is not about you agreeing with what I say. It’s both of us agreeing with what the Word tells us. We need to all be following the path that Jesus laid down for us.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5-6 NIV

False teachers don’t live this way. They have their own beliefs that they are trying to convince others to follow. They try to get you to believe that they’re living on a higher level than others.

Unfortunately, according to Jude, they’re operating in perpetual darkness. Darkness is the absence of light. God’s Word is light. These people are living according to their own thoughts. They don’t know the destruction that their path is leading them to.

That’s why it’s so important that we stay in prayer and in the Word. In that way we can hear the Holy Spirit’s warning to avoid these pitfalls.

Questions: When has to Holy Spirit kept you from spiritual harm?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 11, 2026 in Leadership, Prayer, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

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Wild Waves

09 Mar
Wild Waves

As we continue through the book of Jude, he’s giving us an understanding of the way false teachers operate. This will help us to steer clear of their influence. Hopefully, it will also help leaders to avoid taking their path.

They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame…

Jude 13a NIV

Here is another description Jude gives us to reveal their character. He calls them wild waves of the sea.

If you remember, at the start of this series I talked about the fact that Jude was the brother of James, who wrote the book of James. It seems to me that the two of them had discussions about this.

Listen to what James wrote. In context, he’s talking about someone asking God for wisdom.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

James 1:6-8 NIV

The first insight James gives us is that these false teachers are actually doubting God. The word doubt in the Greek actually means to thoroughly judge, discern or discriminate in the decision making process.

The problem is that these teachers are judging God’s Word. It’s not up to us to decide whether God means what He says or not. His Word is truth. It doesn’t matter what things look like from our perspective.

The next thing I see is that these people are like a wave on the ocean. But it’s not just any wave. It’s a wave that’s specifically formed by the wind blowing across the water. That kind of wave only moves in the direction that the wind is blowing.

False teachers are really good at discerning what it is that people want to hear. Then they package it in an exciting, and even Scripture based message. Little do the hearers know that they’re being led astray by wrong interpretations of the Bible.

This person is also called double-minded, or literally double-souled. It’s like they have a split personality. When they’re around God’s people it seems like they’re super spiritual. But, many times, in private these teachers are just the opposite.

According to James, this person is unstable in all he does. That literally means that the road he’s taking has no permanent direction. These false teachers are continually updating their message to keep their followers entertained – and to keep the money train rolling.

That’s why we need to be constantly aware in the spirit. Regularly spend time in God’s presence. That’s what will keep you safe from their influence.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

Ephesians 4:14 NIV

Paul understood all of this. We need to heed his exhortation. Spend time reading the Word and in prayer each day. Stay strong and alert in the spirit.

Question: How do you keep yourself spiritually vigilant?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 9, 2026 in Prayer, Word of God, Faith, Ministry, Leadership, Spiritual Walk

 

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No Rain, No Fruit

06 Mar
No Rain, No Fruit

We’re continuing our study through the epistle of Jude. He’s been talking about false teachers and their effect on the body of Christ. We’re experiencing an epidemic of this in our modern American Christian culture. Jude wrote about this problem almost 2000 years ago.

These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm – shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted– twice dead.
Jude 1:12

This rebuke describes a growing segment of the church. What an appropriate editorial on many of the “ministers” we see on Christian cable, radio, and online.

Jude describes them as shepherds who feed only themselves. They preach messages that excite people in order to keep their cash flow going strong. They’re clouds and wind with no rain – autumn trees with no fruit.

If there’s no fruit, then there’s no seed to plant. But that doesn’t matter. With no rain they couldn’t water them either.

This calls for maturity and discernment for God’s people. That’s especially true when it comes to the teachings we listen to on the radio, TV, or the internet. We need to be asking the Holy Spirit to show us the motives behind the ministry.

It’s a part of the times that we live in. There’s an abundance of the Bible being preached in America these days. How much of it is a Word from God? How much of it speaks what God wants said to this generation, for this time in history? How much planting and watering is being accomplished?

For the amount of Scripture being sent through the airways and over the internet, there is very little fruit to harvest.

“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land – not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.”
Amos 8:11-12

The prophet Amos predicted the days when there would be a famine of the Word of God. What is a famine? It’s usually a dry weather pattern. As a result there’s no rain, no crops, and no new seed. This must go on for years to qualify as a famine.

During the time of spiritual famine that Amos wrote about, Israel had many synagogues. These were places where the Scripture was taught. There were people teaching the Scripture all over Israel. Scripture reading abounded – but not the Word of God.

It grieves me to look at the United States in light of this Scripture. We are in that exact same place. An abundance of the Bible is being preached and taught from every possible media outlet. Yet for all of this, the church of Jesus Christ is, for the most part, marginalized.

We need to hunger and thirst for a revival of the Word of God in us. Of course we need Scripture as our foundation – to keep us on track. But we must seek God Himself so that we can receive the Living Word to burn within us.

That’s why I’m so insistent about believers being a part of a local congregation. Yes, I’ve heard the excuses. “You don’t know the pain I suffered from that church.”

I understand; I’ve been there. The truth is that no one can hurt you more than family. But, then again, no one can help you to heal better than family.

Being a part of a local church does open you up to possible hurt. But it can also help to protect you from the spiritual wolves that are out to destroy you.

Question: How have you grown as a result of the local church?

©2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 6, 2026 in Leadership, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

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Rebellion

04 Mar
Rebellion

We’re continuing our look at the book of Jude. He’s been writing about false teachers. So far he has used the examples of Cain and Balaam. Now Jude move on to another Old Testament problem.

…they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

Jude 11 NIV

The first thing we need to do is understand the background of Korah and his rebellion. Korah and Moses were cousins, so you might have expected them to be close. But that’s not the case.

As it happens so often in families, there was a great deal of competition and jealousy on Korah’s part. At some point he began to amass a following who felt the Korah was the better leader. You can read the whole story in Numbers, chapter 16.

Here’s the problem that we even see today in many churches. God calls and appoints leaders based upon His own criteria. So often that doesn’t involve outward ability, but inward character.

…“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7b NIV

Eventually Korah surrounded himself with over 250 others who openly opposed Moses and Aaron. Their argument was that the whole congregation of Israel is holy. So, Moses and Aaron shouldn’t put themselves over the people.

Unfortunately these men were working with a false assumption. Moses and Aaron did not put themselves over Israel. God Himself was the One who placed them in authority.

The end of this rebellion was quick and decisive. The ground opened up under these men and swallowed them alive.

This is what Jude is referencing in his writings. It’s a problem that’s all too commonplace in the modern church.

I believe it’s a result of this generation’s misconceptions of the church. In many places churches are established and structured according to an American business model. They come complete with CEO, CFO, and governing board members.

Please understand – that’s not how God establishes His church. The true church is a theocracy with Christ, Himself as the Head. He calls and appoints leaders as He sees fit.

Too often there are those in the congregation who feel that they know better than the pastor or leaders God has placed in ministry. They end up trying to get people to join their ranks and agree with them. They’re trying to establish their own little kingdoms.

This is what Jude is referring to here. What these rebellious individuals forget is that God hates such rebellion to His established authority. Even James warns us about this.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 NIV

We even see this in the early days of the apostles. When they were called before the rulers of Israel, these leaders wanted to stop their preaching. However, a wise teacher named Gamaliel stood up and spoke this truth. He told the assembly to not attack them.

“But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Acts 5:39 NIV

I believe we have to be very careful not to join with those who are in rebellion against God-given leadership.

Question: What is your attitude toward leaders you disagree with?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 4, 2026 in The Church, Anointing, Leadership, Spiritual Walk

 

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Warning Signals

13 Feb
Warning Signals

I’m currently studying the epistle of Jude. In my last post, we were looking at some characteristics of false teachers in verse 8.

In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings.

Jude 8 NIV

Continuing with along this line, Jude tells us that they reject authority. That literally means that they cast off lordship.

I believe this is referencing the lordship of Christ. There are many Christians today who are embracing Jesus Christ as their Savior. On the other hand, they’re definitely not serving Him as Lord. This is a part of what I talked about in my last post. They claim to know Him, but by their actions they deny Him.

As church leaders, we need to be constantly aware of Christ’s lordship. He is Lord and we are not. Too many get in trouble by forgetting that one fact.

The next thing Jude talks about is what the NIV translates as slandering celestial beings. The actual Greek translation of this is that they blaspheme glory.

Personally, I see an important theme in the context of this verse. These false teachers are spiritually asleep, they’re not walking in righteousness, and they reject Christ’s leading.

All of these things are directly a part of our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Now Jude uses the word, blasphemy. I believe the glory he’s talking about is the Holy Spirit working in us.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

Blasphemy is speaking evil about something or someone. This is speaking evil about the Holy Spirit or His work. That’s something the Jesus Christ expressly warned against.

“He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven…anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

Matthew 12:30-32 NIV

Jesus said this when the Pharisees were saying that the Lord was casting out demons by the power of Satan. They were attributing God’s work to the devil. That’s speaking evil about the Spirit.

There are so many self-proclaimed teachers today who are speaking out against modern “revivals” and “moves of God”. This especially true online. Please be aware – you can remain anonymous to other online people – but not to God.

Be very careful about your criticism of other ministries. Many times, God does things that don’t fit into our neat little theological boxes. You don’t want to be found guilty of saying something the Holy Spirit is doing as being of the devil.

Too many people want to make a name for themselves by blasting others. Don’t fall into that trap. Take Jude’s advice.

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Jude 9 NIV

If you have a problem with what you see happening in another ministry, pray for them. Let God handle the rebuke. Jesus Christ is the final judge of His people.

Question: How does your life portray Christ as Lord?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 13, 2026 in Leadership, Ministry, Power of God, The Church

 

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Leaders Who Leave the Path

11 Feb
Leaders Who Leave the Path

We’re continuing our study through Jude’s letter to the church. He’s writing to combat the false teachers who infiltrate the body of Christ.

In verses 5-7, Jude is reminding the people about God’s character. Even though God is love, He’s also perfectly righteous and just. Because of this truth, we need to always keep in mind the laws of sowing and reaping.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Galatians 6:7-8 NIV

Jude is reminding the church of the negative examples of this throughout history. He mentions the children of Israel who were delivered from Egypt, but died in the wilderness because of their sin.

He also reminded them about the angels who fell as well as Sodom and Gomorrah. These are all examples of those who persisted in their errors with no repentance.

Now Jude describes the characteristics of false teachers.

In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings.

Jude 8 NIV

He first describes these people as dreamers. That word, dream, means to see something in your sleep. The fact that Jude calls them dreamers, points to the fact that they’re asleep. That’s an important spiritual concept.

Paul talked about this with the Thessalonian church.

You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 NIV

The opposite of being spiritually asleep is to be alert and self-controlled. In my last post we saw that these false teachers were turning God’s grace into a license for immorality. This is the false “revelation” that these dreamers are seeing in their spiritual slumber.

The next thing Jude says about these people is that they pollute (contaminate, defile) their bodies. This is also something that Paul talked about.

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Titus 1:15-16 NIV

In these verses, Paul actually tells us how to identify these “polluted Christians”. He tells us that their words don’t line up with their actions. They may say that Jesus is Lord. However, in their daily lives they’re not following the Lord’s instructions.

This type of life is an epidemic in the church these days. There are many who like the idea of saying they’re a believer. Unfortunately, they don’t realize that you can’t simply pick and choose what Biblical truths you want to follow.

We need to take our walk with the Lord seriously.

I’ll continue this in my next post.

Question: How spiritually awake are you?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 11, 2026 in Leadership, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Understanding Spiritual Battles

09 Feb
Understanding Spiritual Battles

In my last post, we started looking at the Apostle Jude’s letter to the church. He explains why he’s writing in the third verse.

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.
Jude 3 NIV

Jude was one of the early leaders of the church. He was a half-brother of Jesus who became a believer after the resurrection.

In this short letter, he explains that he simply wanted to write a brief word of encouragement. He wanted to bless and uplift those who would receive it.

Instead, once he sat down to write, the Holy Spirit grabbed his attention and caused him to speak of the spiritual battle. Jude felt the urgency to warn them to diligently contend for the faith.

He sounds the same as Paul in the book of Ephesians.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

Not all spiritual battles are the same. In Ephesians, Paul was contending against demonic forces. Jude is writing about contending against false teachings.

False teachings are the result of leaders who veer off the clear path of faith. This is what Jude is going to show us.

For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Jude 4 NIV

Jude tells us here that he’s talking about people who will be condemned. They’re headed in the wrong direction, spiritually. This implies that at one time they were correct, but they’ve now left the path.

He describes them as godless – literally non-worshipers. The Lord is not their primary focus.

What they’re doing is simply taking the teaching on the grace of God. They then use this teaching as a reason to abandon self-control. They basically say that you can live however you want, fulfill any desire, and God’s grace will cover it.

They’re conveniently omitting the truths of repentance and righteousness. In so doing they’re denying the the Lord Jesus Christ. The Greek word he uses for deny means to contradict. The Apostle Paul talks about these people as well. In writing about the last days he says there will be those who are…

…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

2 Timothy 3:4b-5 NIV

Form without power. We know that the Holy Spirit is the One who gives us this power. Denying the power is denying the Spirit.

They may some of the right things. They might even quote some Scripture. But the fruit are missing. This is a warning sign for believers.

Question: How do you steer clear of these false teachings?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 9, 2026 in Spiritual Warfare, Power of God, The Church, Leadership

 

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Jude Begins

04 Feb
Jude Begins

If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you know that I’ve been systematically going through the New Testament in the order that the Holy Spirit revealed it to the church.

I started a few years ago, with the four foundational books – James, First Thessalonians, Galatians and Mark.

The next thing on the Holy Spirit’s agenda was to inspire books that dealt with our personal walk with the Lord. These books include Second Thessalonians, First and Second Corinthians, Romans, and Luke.

After that, the Lord gave us books dealing with our corporate walk. We need to understand life as a church. These epistles are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

We then transitioned to the next series of letters given to us by the Holy Spirit. They center around raising up mature Christian leadership.

These books are (in the order they were revealed to the church): 1 Peter, Jude, 1 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, Acts, 2 Peter, 2 Timothy, and Matthew.

In my last post we finished 1 Peter, so today we’ll begin with the tiny letter from Jude.

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, to those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

Jude 1-2 NIV

What you need to know about the Apostle Jude, is that he shows a great deal of humility. He calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James. Yes, he was the brother of James, but that’s not the whole story.

James was the pastor of the church in Jerusalem. At one point the largest and fastest growing church in the world.

Also, both James and Jude were the physical sons of Mary and Joseph. That makes them the half-brothers of Jesus Christ. But, instead of using this as a point of pride, he simply calls himself a servant.

I think about some of the “Christian personalities” we see on TV and online these days. I can only imagine some of them publishing the claim that they were “raised in the same household as Jesus”. They might use this to enhance their credibility.

This is not the case with Jude (or James). They both acknowledge the fact that they needed a Savior. And, as far as we know, they didn’t accept Christ as Messiah until after the resurrection.

So, why did the Holy Spirit inspire this little letter in the section concerning leadership?

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. 4 For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Jude 3-4 NIV

Simply put, he will be dealing with traps that Christian leaders fall into when they take their eyes off of Christ and their calling. This is the subject I’ll be dealing with over the next few posts.

It’s a very important topic in the body of Christ today. If you haven’t already done so, you may want to subscribe, so you won’t miss any of these posts.

Question: How should a leader show true humility in ministry?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 4, 2026 in Leadership, Ministry, Spiritual Walk

 

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Leaders – Sober and Awake

29 Oct
Leaders – Sober and Awake

We’ve been looking at the Apostle Peter’s exhortation to leaders in his first epistle. In my last post I talked about the call that all believers have to become a leader.

Now Peter gives us a warning. As you rise to leadership, the enemy puts a bigger target on your back. This is a realization that all Christian leaders need to understand.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8 NIV

In this verse, Peter literally tells us to stay sober and awake. I believe that he’s talking about not being intoxicated by the distractions of the world. Also, we need to be awake to the voice of the Holy Spirit, guiding and directing us.

The Apostle Paul talks about this same thing.

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 NIV

He makes it clear that we’re not like the world. We walk in the light of the Holy Spirit. So, we’re awake and sober, armed for battle. That’s the attitude of a warrior, trained for victory.

Yes, we’re in a battle. We need to know our enemy. Peter describes him to us in the above verse.

He calls the devil our adversary. In the Greek, that’s a compound word that means anti-right. He’s against everything the Lord stands for.

Unfortunately, many think the devil is simply a fairy tale. All I can say is that if you try to do a major work for God, then you’ll find out the truth of the devil’s existence.

This verse tells us that the enemy hunts like a roaring lion. But normally they’re absolutely silent. A roaring lion is one who has gotten too old for that kind of hunting. He may have even lost some of his teeth.
So, the younger lions move out in front of the prey, while the old toothless lion roars, and scares the prey so that they run right into the trap set by the younger ones. This older lion then lets the young ones rip the prey apart. Then he eats the carved-up pieces.
That word devour, in the above verse, literally means to gulp down in one bite. The roaring lion is not looking for a fight. He doesn’t want to go one on one with the prey. All he wants to do is to scare it into a trap.
As leaders, we need to realize the devil is looking for someone with a victim mentality. The last person the devil wants to deal with is a Christian fully armed and standing on God’s Word.
Stay in prayer and in the Word so that you are spiritually self-controlled and alert. Then you will not become the devil’s punching bag.

Question: How spiritually sober and awake are you?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on October 29, 2025 in Leadership, Ministry, Spiritual Walk, Spiritual Warfare

 

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