The present tense verb in Greek indicates ongoing, continuous or habitual action. Three of those verbs are used in one verse to describe the activity of the devil. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil WALKS ABOUT (present tense) like a ROARING (present tense) lion, SEEKING (present tense) whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). The devil is incessant in his efforts to tempt you, deceive you and devour you. When you “resist” him, he “will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7), but you can be certain that when another “opportune time” comes (Luke 4:13), he will be back.
That’s why God tells us to “resist” him (Jas. 4:7), even “resist him steadfast in the faith (1 Pet. 5:9). God tells us to “Be sober” and “be vigilant” (1 Pet. 5:8). The tense of the imperatives in these verses (different from the present tense) emphasizes that every Christian must decisively wake up, stay on guard, take his stand and refuse to yield one inch to the evil one.
Fellow Christian, please “Watch and pray” (Matt. 26:41) for God’s strength to resist and be delivered (Matt. 6:13).
