Which Lion Will You Believe? Lions, Giants & Bears, But God — Brandon Dumas

Jul 14, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Flashlight Exposing the Rope, Not the Snake

Fear often distorts reality like a coiled rope mistaken for a snake in the dark. God’s Word acts as a flashlight, revealing truth and stripping lies of their power. When light exposes what’s hidden, fear loses its grip. Just as a rope remains harmless under illumination, many anxieties shrink when Scripture clarifies their true nature. This daily practice of shining truth on fears reshapes how we engage challenges. The enemy thrives in shadows, but light dismantles his illusions. [08:26]

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
(Psalm 119:105, NKJV)

Reflection: What “snake” have you believed was real until God’s light exposed it as a rope? How might memorizing Psalm 119:105 reshape your response to fear this week?

Day 2: The Hotel Map’s “You Are Here” Dot

God’s Word functions like an emergency map, pinpointing our spiritual location. Without awareness of where we stand, progress remains impossible. Scripture reveals blind spots, like Peter’s overconfidence before his denial. Sanctification isn’t about perfection but daily alignment with Christ’s image. The map doesn’t shame—it guides toward growth. Resistance to truth keeps us circling the same corridors. [09:47]

For the word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(Hebrews 4:12, NKJV)

Reflection: Where has Scripture recently revealed a “You Are Here” moment in your life? What step will you take today to move toward the exit marked “Christlikeness”?

Day 3: The Roar Heard Five Miles Away

The enemy’s roar carries like a lion’s cry across vast distances, designed to paralyze before engagement. Nighttime vulnerability mirrors how lies amplify in life’s dark hours. Yet the roar proves the lion isn’t near—it’s a bluff. Suffering saints across generations faced similar tactics, finding strength in shared resistance. Proximity to Christ muffles the enemy’s volume. [17:21]

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
(1 Peter 5:8-9, NKJV)

Reflection: Which “night hour” struggle most amplifies the enemy’s roar for you? Who in your spiritual family needs your encouragement to stand firm today?

Day 4: The Competing Lion’s Silent Stalk

Lions hunt in silence—the enemy’s quiet schemes often prove deadlier than his roars. Like Job’s unseen cosmic battle, current trials may hide eternal purposes. God’s silence during testing isn’t absence but invitation to trust His track record. The real Lion of Judah conquered through apparent defeat, turning the cross into resurrection ground. [21:29]

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 1:6, NKJV)

Reflection: Where has God’s silence tempted you to doubt His involvement? How might His past faithfulness anchor you in this season of quiet?

Day 5: The Restored Ear and the Surrendered Sword

Peter’s impulsive sword-swing severed an ear, but Christ’s restoration previewed redemption’s power. Our well-meaning defenses often cause collateral damage. True authority comes through surrendered weapons, trusting the Lion-Lamb’s paradoxical victory. Like Peter’s upside-down cross, our greatest impact follows dying to self-reliance. [46:39]

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
(John 21:15, NKJV)

Reflection: What “ear” have you damaged trying to fight battles God never assigned? How might surrendering your solutions feed others instead?

Sermon Summary

Peter’s warning in 1 Peter 5 calls believers to be sober and vigilant because the adversary walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The text does not give the devil the status of a real lion. It says he is “like” a roaring lion. That one word matters, because one lion is a counterfeit, but one Lion is the real thing.

Fear comes as false evidence appearing real. The dark path can make a rope look like a snake, but the object does not change when the flashlight comes on. The light changes what is seen. God’s Word is that flashlight, a lamp to the feet and a light to the path, exposing where a believer really is and where God is calling that believer to go. Sanctification is a process, and the Word keeps showing that there is more to conquer, more to overcome, and more sonship to discover.

Peter knew what fear could do. Peter walked on water while his eyes were fixed on Jesus, but when the wind and waves took over his attention, fear caused him to trust the storm more than the Savior. The storm was real, but the conclusion that Jesus could no longer keep him was false. God is able to keep what belongs to him, and no one can pluck his people out of his hand.

The roar of the enemy works through distance, darkness, pressure, and isolation. Lions roar to mark territory and intimidate rivals, but the enemy lies about what territory belongs to him. Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, has the real roar. His kingship, authority, victory, and rightful rule are not pretend. Genesis points to Judah, David receives the promise of an everlasting throne, and Revelation shows the Lion of Judah prevailing.

The believer’s silence can become dangerous when pressure comes. The devil, the world, and the flesh look for the weak, young, isolated, and unguarded. God’s people need the Word, worship, prayer, the sanctuary, submission, covering, and the kind of voices that can say, “bro, you wrong.” The call to be sober minded asks whether legal things are authorized by God, and whether temporary relief has taken the place of the Rock, the living bread, and the well that never runs dry.

Jesus is not only the Lion of Judah. Jesus is also the Lamb of God. His victory comes through sacrifice. Peter fell, denied, went back to what was familiar, and still Jesus restored him. The forgiven heart loves much, worships freely, and no longer lets shame have the final word.

Key Takeaways

1. Fear loses power in the light [08:44] God’s Word does not merely comfort frightened minds, it exposes reality. Fear can make a rope look like a snake, but truth shows what is actually there. The believer who lives by the light of Scripture learns to stop obeying shadows and start responding to what God has revealed. [08:44]
2. The devil only roars like lion [04:00] Peter’s word “like” matters because the enemy’s roar is imitation, not ultimate authority. The devil intimidates through noise, pressure, and suggestion, but Jesus holds the genuine rule. Spiritual maturity begins when the soul stops treating counterfeit noise like it has the final say. [04:00]
3. Isolation makes prey easier to devour [28:31] Lions look for the weak, young, isolated, and unguarded, and the enemy still works that pattern. Separation can feel like self-protection, but it often becomes the place where lies grow louder. God gives covering, correction, and faithful voices because authority and community are part of protection. [28:31]
4. Worship resists unanswered silence [33:27] The Canaanite woman worshiped before the answer appeared, and that worship refused to let silence define God’s heart. Faith does not always receive the timing it wants, but it can still bow before the One who is worthy. Sacrificial praise becomes powerful when it rests on God’s character, not on immediate evidence. [33:27]
5. Forgiven people love much [51:31] Peter’s restoration shows that failure does not have to become a final identity. Jesus met him in the place where he tried to return to the familiar and called him back into purpose. The heart that knows how much mercy has been received does not need to be forced into worship.

## [51:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:25] - Bible Confession And God’s Word
[02:39] - Reading First Peter 5
[05:22] - Which Lion Will You Believe?
[07:11] - Fear As False Evidence
[08:44] - God’s Word Exposes Reality
[11:26] - Peter, The Storm, And The Savior
[14:27] - Be Sober And Vigilant
[16:08] - Why Lions Roar
[21:29] - Surrender To The Lion Of Judah
[24:52] - Jesus, The Lion Who Prevails
[28:18] - Knowing Who You Are
[32:36] - Worship In The Face Of Silence
[37:07] - Sober Minded And Set Apart
[44:25] - The Lion And The Lamb
[49:27] - Peter Restored By Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV)
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Observation questions

According to 1 Peter 5:8, how is the devil described, and what does he seek to do?
The sermon compares fear to "false evidence appearing real" using the example of a rope mistaken for a snake in the dark ([08:02]). What role does God’s Word play in exposing reality?
In the story of Peter walking on water ([11:26]), what caused him to sink, and what false conclusion did he draw about Jesus?
What does the sermon say lions look for when hunting prey, and how does this relate to believers? ([28:31])

Interpretation questions

Why does the sermon emphasize the word “like” in 1 Peter 5:8 (“like a roaring lion”)? How does this distinction impact our understanding of the enemy’s power?
Isolation is described as dangerous for believers ([28:31]). Why might isolation make someone more vulnerable to the enemy’s tactics, even if it feels like self-protection?
The Canaanite woman worshiped Jesus before her request was answered ([33:27]). How does worship in seasons of silence challenge our expectations of God’s timing?
Peter denied Jesus but was later restored ([49:27]). What does this reveal about the relationship between failure, forgiveness, and identity in Christ?

Application questions

What practical steps can you take to avoid isolation and stay connected to community when facing pressure or fear? ([28:31])
Identify an area where fear has made a “rope look like a snake” in your life. How can you shine God’s Word on that situation this week? ([08:44])
Worship is described as a weapon against unanswered silence ([33:27]). What specific way can you intentionally worship God this week, even if a prayer hasn’t been answered yet?
Peter returned to fishing after denying Jesus ([49:27]). Are there areas where you’ve been tempted to “go back to what’s familiar” instead of trusting God’s call? What would surrender look like?
The sermon says forgiven people “love much” ([51:31]). How can embracing God’s mercy for past failures free you to serve or love others more boldly?
What “legal” thing in your life (habits, distractions, etc.) might be taking the place of relying on God as your “Rock” or “living bread”? ([37:23])

Sermon Clips

61s

#KeptInHisHands

“See, you gotta understand the waves, they were real. The storm was real, but the conclusion that Jesus could no longer keep him is what was false, because God is able to keep you. Last I checked, you're in the palm of his hands, and no one can pluck you out. Last I checked in Philippians one six, it says, he that has begun a good work in you shall complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. Last I checked, he said that he was going to prepare a place for me. He is the bridegroom. I am the bride, and he's given me the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that he's coming back to get me because the Holy Spirit serves as a down payment or as an engagement ring that he's not leaving me to myself, but he's coming back for me. Fear caused Peter to trust the storm more than the savior.”

40s

#LoveDrivenLiving

“If I love God, I'm gonna do whatever it takes because I wanna be pleasing to him. I'm not just doing this to to to to make good or or or or to put on a front in front of my pastor or in front of these people. I'm doing this because I love you, God. I'm staying pure because I love you. I'm not having sex before marriage because I love you. I'm doing it your way because I love you. I'm not conniving. I'm not cheating on people. I'm operating with integrity because I love you. And the Bible says, don't grow weary in well doing, for in due season, you will reap a harvest if you faint not.”

52s

#PowerOfWorship

“the Bible says that she began to worship him. And if if if if hear me clearly. If God had a weakness, it would be for worship. Because when you come and worship God, man, he will move on your behalf, especially when it's a sacrificial praise, especially when you have nothing to go off but his faithfulness. Lord, I know that you will do this. So she began to worship him. And Jesus said, it's not meek to give the children's bread to the dog. It's not meek to give what was given to the Jews to the Gentiles. But she said, I may be a dog, but even the dogs can eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table. And Jesus said, I have never seen such great faith like this. And in that very hour, her daughter was healed. See, you gotta understand there was power in your worship.”

71s

#ForgivenLove

“But something doesn't make sense to me. How is it that you could go from this place of being depressed and being ashamed and possibly not even going to the crucifixion of your Lord and savior Jesus Christ, but now, all of a sudden, you are ready to die for the Lord Jesus? This is what I discovered. When you realize what you've been forgiven of, you'll love much. you realize how much you've been forgiven, you will love more. See, I can tell who knows how much they've been forgiven when I see them worshiping. Because you don't have to coerce them to worship. You don't have to pry and pull to get them to lift their hands. When you know how depraved you were, when you know how separated you were, when you know what mess you had in your life, and you saw God redeem you from that, it will propel your worship. And I can't help but worship him. I can't help but praise him. I can't help but lift my voice. Even if I can't sing, even if I look like a fool, even if I sweat to where the old spice has gone, I'm still gonna preach,”

67s

#PositionNotPerformance

“See, sanctification is a process. You don't become like Christ overnight. It is a process where God smooths out the rough the rough edges, and he makes you more and more like his son every day. So if you have come to the place where you think that you have arrived or there isn't more to conquer, the word of God tells you something different. There is more to conquer. There is more to overcome. There is more to discovering your sonship in Christ. And when I speak of sonship, I'm not talking about gender. I'm talking about position. Because when you realize that you are positionally perfect in him, even though you struggle transitionally, if I'm falling, it is an indication I've lost sight of my position. Because when you know who you are, you won't date just anybody. When you know who you are, you won't apply just for any job. When you know who you are, you won't listen to every voice because I know who I am.”

56s

#BrokenAndRestored

“Because if the Holy Spirit is present, he will not allow you to continue down that behavior. I have experienced God's conviction to where I can't even move. I can't even go forward. I gotta deal with this. I gotta ask for his forgiveness. And you know what? Hopefully, you learn from it. The the Bible says God will not despise a broken and a contrite heart. There is a difference between getting caught, and there is a difference between repentance. There is godly sorrow, and there's worldly sorrow. Worldly sorrow is, I'm afraid I got caught. But godly sorrow is, I've sinned against God and against you alone. And that's where David came to that place. Lord, I have sinned. Even though he sinned against Uriah and Bathsheba through his sin, more importantly, he sinned against God. But even though Peter fell, God came back to restore him.”

64s

#RestoredToServe

“See, Peter thought it was over. After Jesus rose from the grave and after denying him, he got in his boat, he went fishing with some of the other disciples, and he was trying to go back to what's familiar. Can I speak to somebody? Have you ever been tempted to go back to what's familiar? I know what worked or what I thought worked in the past, and the thing is, it's not that it worked. It was taking you further down. You didn't realize it. It may have seemed like it was providing a temporary satisfaction, but after it was all over, I was worse than before. Oh, am I talking to somebody? But when Jesus when he went to go fishing, Jesus was on the shore, and he was, making some fish, probably some salmon. Praise God. I love salmon. No. But he was making some fish, and he restored, Peter. He asked him three times, Peter, do you love me? Peter said, yes, Lord. You know that I love you. Then feed my sheep.”

56s

#ChooseTruth

“``Which will you believe? Because one is a counterfeit, but one is the real thing. One is masquerading as having actual power, and the power that they possess, they possess it because sometimes we can allow them to walk in it. But when you know who you are, you can do great exploits for the kingdom of God, and that's what I came to encourage you with today. And my prayer is that lies would be exposed in this place. Whatever you walked in this room caring, whatever you walked in this room believing, I pray when you go through those doors, I'm not believing this lie no longer. I am drawing a line in the sand. The devil is a liar. I will believe the report of the Lord.”

63s

#ShineTheLight

“Listen to this. I was thinking about an illustration. Most of you know that I come from Texas. And when I first moved here, I came to realize that there's not a whole lot of street lights in some of these, small towns. And so you can stumble upon some things if you're not aware of it as you're going for a stroll at night. Maybe that's just me, but, it would be expedient for you to take a flashlight with you or a phone light just in case. But imagine you're walking down a dark path, and you see what looks like a snake. A snake. Your heart races, you freeze, you even run away, then someone shines a flashlight on it only to discover it is just a rope, and it is not a snake. Praise the Lord. Nothing changed about the object. The only thing that changed was the light.”

62s

#KnowWhoYouAre

“What are some of these lies that the enemy has spoken to us? I won't have to I won't be able to have a child again. won't be able to love again. I'm not able to go to college because no one in my family went to college debt free, by the way. I won't be able to perform on this job because of my speech impediment or because of my learning disability. Can I tell you something? I had a learning disability and a speech impediment, and I stand up here today to let you know that God takes the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. See, the devil may roar like a lion to create fear, but as believers, we know the lion of the tribe of Judah, and his name is Jesus. My second point is this, the roar of the enemy is only effective against those who don't know who they are, who don't know who they are.”

63s

#ClaimYourInheritance

“People of God, I want you to understand something. The title, the lion of Judah, is one of the most powerful names given to Jesus Christ in the Bible. It conveys his kingship, his authority, his victory, and his rightful rule. You wanna know the essence of discipleship is discovering who you are and who he is and what has been bequeathed unto you through an inheritance. See, Peter said, everything that you need that pertains to life and godliness, God has given it to you. So if you aren't experiencing it, it could be not that the promise is ready and available waiting to be used, but you have to find out what that promise is. Because once you go to God's word and you discover what you are rightfully supposed to walk in, you won't allow his lies and schemes to take you wonder any longer.”

72s

#LionAndLamb

“As I bring this in, Jesus, point number three, is the lion of Judah, but he's also the lamb of God. Not only is he victorious, not only is he powerful, but he's also the lamb of God that was slain before the foundation of the world. This is one of the most profound images in the Bible. The lion represents Jesus' power, his authority, his kingship, his victory, but the lamb represents his sacrifice for the sins of the world. Peter of all people Peter of all people, he knew this all too well. For in first Peter five one, he shares, he was a witness to the sufferings of Christ. Many commentators believe that even though Peter was able to observe the sufferings of Christ, he was not at his crucifixion because of his denial of the Lord Jesus and the shame that he walked in at that moment. But how many of you know even when you fall, you shall not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholds you with his righteous right hand?”

80s

#ClaimYourTerritory

“As I said earlier, the roar of a lion is to establish territory, and I have to get moving. Never forget, the roar of the enemy is like a lion, whereas the lion of Judah's roar is genuine. It's real, and it demands submission to any opposing lion. God's word is true, and it will not come back to him void. What territory listen to this. What territory has God called you to conquer, but the roar of the enemy has left you paralyzed with fear? What territory? The territory of sonship in Christ, he's called you to it. The territory of sharing your faith and not walking in fear. The territory of walking in divine health and not buying into the lie of hereditary diseases. The territory of financial breakthrough. The territory of a thriving marriage. The territory of trusting the advice of those who love you versus walking in pride, the territory of walking in forgiveness to experience God's bountiful blessings, the territory of breaking generational mindsets, the territory of stepping out in faith. The enemy knows once you discover who you are, it's over.”

86s

#BattleOnYourKnees

“When Jesus was being tempted by the devil, some of you might remember the devil took Jesus on a mountain and told him, all of these kingdoms, I will give you, which means he had some sort of authority over them. I will give you if you bow down and worship me. But see, Jesus understood that there was a plan that was on the horizon. See, this is how you overcome the enemy. I'm not buying into your lives because I know in whom I have trusted, and I know that he that has begun this work in me will finish it. And so I know there's a promise on the horizon, and that promise was that he would eventually restore what the enemy tried to take or stole. And that was the authority that we can now walk in. That's why when Jesus says, all authority has been given unto me in heaven and on earth, you need to know who your real enemy is. The Bible says we wrestle not against flesh and blood. We don't wrestle against like, we wrestle against principalities and rulers of the of the darkness, wickedness in high places. Stop thinking the human being in front of you is your enemy and fight the real enemy. And how you fight him is on your knees. How you fight him is in the word. How you fight him is through prayer, through worship, through spending time with him.”

80s

#DailyManna

“And I've come to discover this because he's lied to me many, many times, and he is the father of lies, but the word of God exposes every lie. You know, the word of God, it's like an instrument in a doctor's hand. There is technology that is used to sometimes go inside of a person to detect anything that shouldn't be there. Whether it is a disease, whether it is a lump, whether it is bacteria, do you know that's what the word of God does? The word of God, the Bible says in Hebrews four twelve that every creature is naked and exposed to him to whom we must give an account. See, sometimes you can watch something on TV, and a lie can be deposited on the inside. Sometimes you can go on to social media, and a lie can be deposited on the inside. Sometimes you can get it wrong certain people, and they speak over your life. And before you know it, and without you even realizing it, you have bought into a lie. But guess what? If you would just go to the source, if you would just make it a point, I'm gonna spend time in God's word every day. I'm not gonna rely on yesterday's manna, but I know that there's new manna for me every day. That lie will come to the surface.”

79s

#CommunityOverIsolation

“As believers, a believer's growth may be hindered or halted by three distinct enemies, the devil, the world, and the flesh. The devil, the world, and the flesh. When lions hunt, listen to this. They look for weak, young, isolated, and unguarded animals. They are the ones marked for attack. Now I understand why Proverbs chapter 18 verse one says, a man shall not isolate himself. A man who isolates himself rages against all wise judgment. I know I'm speaking to the choir because you're here in this room, but I wanna and challenge you to come to church on a regular basis. It is in our MO sometimes when we're going through something to isolate ourselves. And I and let me tell you this. Sometimes this is necessary to get alone with God. Sometimes you have to quiet the noise. Sometimes you have to fast and pray and just get alone with God. But in many cases, as I've worked with believers, there is a tendency, and it is the trick of the enemy to get you all by yourself.”

80s

#ConvictionLeadsHome

“And you know what? He understood the power of God in that moment. Peter can also speak from the experience what it means to submit to God and resist the devil even though he fell short in this area. when you go through something because we as believers, sometimes we're gonna fall. Sometimes we're gonna make mistakes, but there is a difference, and you gotta hear me clearly on this. There is a difference between falling and practicing. See, when you decide to practice, I'm camping here. I know what God's word has to say, but I am justified in the way I'm doing it. But you know what? When you fall, guess what comes? Conviction. How many of you have ever been convicted by the Lord? The Bible says in Hebrews 12 that the Lord disciplines those in whom he loves. If you are without discipline, of which some have become partakers, Hebrews 12 says, then you are a bastard child. You're not his. So if you can continue down a path of destruction and you have no remorse, no conviction, with all due respect with all due respect, man and woman, I would question whether you're saved.”

63s

#WorshipInWaiting

“And the Bible says that she sought Jesus because she was determined. And I thank God for moms that are determined. Come on, somebody. I thank God for some mothers that are determined to see a breakthrough in their child. The Bible doesn't make it clear how she got entangled in this mess. But at this point, it didn't matter. I just need a breakthrough. So she saw Jesus, and the Bible says Jesus answered her not a word. the Bible says that she began to worship him. Take note of this. Jesus didn't answer her, but she still decided to worship him. I didn't hear anything. I didn't get anything, but I'm still gonna worship you. The breakthrough didn't come in the amount of time that I was looking for it to come, but I still will worship you. I still will praise you. Because to be quite frank, and maybe you're not at this place, and I wasn't either, but I've come to a place. You don't have to do another thing in my life. The fact that you are God and that you are God alone and there's none like you, that is enough. But”

48s

#SabbathAsRest

“Something that he taught me was that the word of God was the first thing that his eyes see when he gets up in the morning and the last thing that his eyes see before he goes to bed. Because the word of God does not return unto God void, but it will accomplish what he pleases and prosper in the thing for which he sent it. If you are struggling to sleep, I would ask you, what are you doing before you sleep? I would ask you what's occupying your mind because the scripture says that he gives his beloved rest. And I'm not just talking about a rest when you lay your head down even though that's something you can receive as well, But I've also discovered that there's a Sabbath day rest in Jesus. How many of you know that the Sabbath day was never meant to be a day, but it was meant to be a place in him?”

84s

#SpeakGodsWord

“See, the enemy is lying about the territory that he owns. But when Jesus roars, we gotta understand that I've been bought with the price. I'm the temple of the holy spirit. So it's a different war. It's not a fake. It's not a copy. It's the real thing. Also, to display strength, a deep powerful roar signals the lion's size and fitness, which can discourage rivals from challenging it. That's why you gotta get his word in your mouth and not your own. You gotta get his word in your mouth, and you gotta open your mouth when you are being tempted and stand your ground. I'm speaking from experience. Interestingly, they don't roar while stalking prey because remaining silent gives them a better chance of making a successful hunt. know what's interesting? The enemy can sometimes roar from afar. And what's interesting as well is God is sometimes silent because the teacher is silent when the test is being given. But even though the test is being given, the reservoir of faith that has been built up over time is what sustains you through that trial.”

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