by Melissa Sharp
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Over the weekend, a sobering headline appeared: Runner brutally injured in dog attack at Forest Park. The story described how a longtime St. Louis Track Club member was suddenly chased and mauled by three unleashed dogs while running alone. He later said, “He looked up, and the three dogs on top of the hill started charging him, and there was nothing he could do.” The attack was swift, violent, and left him critically injured until the dogs’ owner used a baseball bat to stop them.
As a runner myself, I understand that fear. I’ve been chased by dogs more than once—sometimes by several at a time. It’s terrifying. That’s why I run with heightened awareness. I leave my headphones at home, keep my eyes open, and even carry protection so I’m ready if danger comes suddenly. Peter tells us to live the Christian life the same way: Alert, sober-minded, and ready. Satan waits for moments when we’re distracted, isolated, or vulnerable.
Paul warns that “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14) In other words, the enemy rarely comes looking like the enemy. He disguises lies as truth, temptation as freedom, pride as confidence, and despair as realism. And just like those unleashed dogs, he pounces when we least expect it. That’s why we cannot afford to live numb, careless, or spiritually sleepy. “Sober and vigilant” means clear-headed, prayerful, alert, and ready to draw the weapon God has placed in our hands: the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)
A runner prepares for the possibility of a threat. Likewise, believers must be prayed up, trained up, and armed with Scripture so that when the enemy charges, we can stand firm in Christ’s truth.
But here is the good news: when you are born again, you receive more than just a command to be watchful—you receive the power to obey it. Scripture promises that everyone who belongs to Christ is indwelt by the Holy Spirit: “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” (Romans 8:9) The Spirit is not a future addition, but God’s gift at salvation. Paul tells us: “Having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.” (Ephesians 1:13–14)
God has given believers a glorious purpose!
The Spirit is God’s pledge that you belong to Him forever. Paul explains it in Titus: “…according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:5–6)
The Spirit cleanses, renews, and continually pours God’s life into us.
And what does this look like? Paul answers: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23) The Spirit fills us so fully that love overflows from our lives into others. On our own, our resources run dry quickly. But when God is our first love, we are never empty. His Spirit keeps filling us, enabling us to serve our families, our neighbors, and even strangers with grace that comes from Him.
Jesus Himself modeled this for us: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) He showed us that real love is revealed in service—giving of ourselves for the good of others.
Reflection Thought
You are always serving someone—yourself, your job, your family, or your desires. But when you serve God first, His Spirit fills you with strength and love that overflows to others.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. Thank You that He washes me, renews me, and seals me as Your own. Help me to live with a sober and vigilant spirit, alert to the enemy’s schemes, but confident in Your power within me. Let Your Spirit’s fruit overflow in my life, so I may serve others with Your love. Keep me close to You, Lord, for You are my portion and my strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Melissa Sharp is an ultra runner and running coach who has completed more than 100 marathons and ultra marathons. Melissa has learned how to keep running the race of life for the glory of Christ even though she endured decades of domestic abuse. Melissa is a survivor. Through her daily blog thejoyfilledrunner she inspires others to live in the strength of Christ.
