Act Like a Wolf - I Declare War Part 2 with Levi Lusko

Act Like a Wolf

Scripture References

• 1 Thessalonians 5

Overview

Levi Lusko continued the “I Declare War” mini-series by challenging us to “act like a wolf.” 1 Thessalonians 5 says we are “sons of light, daughters of day”; therefore our daily activity must flow from that new identity. Like a wolf—fierce yet empathetic—we are called to live alert, connected, and intentional, waging war against the enemy, the world’s pull, and most importantly our own blind spots.

Main Points

We are always at war

• Conflict comes from three fronts: the devil, a complicated relationship with the world, and the battle within ourselves.
• Two common errors with the world:
  • Imitation – becoming so similar that we lose salt and light.
  • Separation – withdrawing so far we cannot reach lost people.
• The gospel way is infiltration: living among people with heavenly values intact.

Blind spots grow when dysfunction feels normal

• Story: In the Lusko home “Alexa, turn on the Christmas tree” still switched on a lamp months after Christmas. The family stopped noticing; a new nanny immediately saw the absurdity.
• Areas of tolerated bondage—habits, addictions, digital over-consumption—can become invisible until someone (or the Holy Spirit) points them out.
• Phone stats: average person touches a device 2,660 times a day, more than the number of minutes in a day.
• Social media exploits the same brain pathways as gambling by offering unpredictable “pellets” of affirmation.

Four ways to act like a wolf (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

“Since we’re creatures of day, let’s act like it.”

1. Join a wolf pack

   • Wolves thrive in packs; lone wolves lack protection.
   • In the church the pack is weekend worship and, critically, small groups where we pray, confess, and carry one another’s burdens.
   • Study: socially isolated men facing multiple stress events triple their death rate; men with close relationships show no spike.
   • “You are the average of your five closest friends.”

2. Change your posture

   • Wolves communicate rank and confidence through stance, ears, and tail; humans broadcast belief by body language.
   • Worship posture matters: raised hands, upright stance signal faith to both body and soul.
   • Deep, slow breathing calms racing heartbeats, restores clear thinking, and invites the Spirit’s peace.

3. Pregame

   • Before hunting, wolves hold a rally. Christians need a pre-game routine that tunes hearts to God before entering the day.
   • Quiet time, YouVersion plans, worship music, prayer, and gratitude lists suit us up so we can show up ready.

4. Props

   • Actors need wardrobe and tools; believers need tangible reminders that “dress” us in faith, love, and hope.
   • Examples Levi shared:
     • Noise-cancelling headphones for moments of silence.
     • A journal to record gratitude—writing five thanks a week can raise happiness 25 %.
     • A bracelet his wife moves wrist-to-wrist when she senses unloving attitudes (“change your own dang bracelet”).
     • Non-prescription glasses he wears on hard days as a physical cue to think and act like a son of the day.
   • Props do not make us fake; they help us act like who God already says we are.

The character of a wolf mirrors Jesus

• Strength and tenderness coexist: wolves adopt orphaned pups—even from rival packs—and practice empathetic “contagious yawning.”
• Likewise Jesus wields a whip in the temple yet welcomes children onto His lap.
• Believers are called to the same lion-like boldness and lamb-like compassion.

Key Truths

• Your daily activity should flow from your new identity in Christ.
• Imitation and separation both rob the church; infiltration reaches the world.
• Habitual dysfunction often hides in plain sight; freedom begins with awareness.
• Community is not optional—your pack can literally save your life.
• Simple physical cues (posture, breathing, props) can trigger spiritual conviction and courage.

Response

• Join or start a small group this week; refuse to fight alone.
• Schedule a daily pre-game: Scripture, silence, and worship before screens.
• Audit your digital habits; set limits or Sabbath hours for your phone.
• Practice power posture during worship and difficult conversations.
• Choose one “prop” (journal, bracelet, special mug) that reminds you to live as a child of the day.

Closing

Levi closed by reminding us that Jesus “died a death that triggered life.” Because of Him we are creatures of the day, fully alive whether awake or asleep. Acting like a wolf is not pretense; it is aligning behavior with heavenly identity.

“Let’s not sleepwalk through life. Since we’re creatures of day, let’s act like it.”

Prayer

Levi invited those far from God to surrender: confess sin, receive Christ’s forgiveness, and live by the Spirit’s power. He prayed for all believers to reject autopilot living, suit up in faith, love, and hope, and wage victorious war within.