The Barna group did a survey among “Christians” in America and discovered that almost seven out of ten do not believe affirmatively that Satan is real.
By clouding man’s vision with deception, he has been hiding in plain sight and becoming increasingly dangerous, thanks to advancing technologies.
Satan has been blinding the eyes of mankind for a very long time. Possibly the greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing men that he does not exist. We often facilitate his deception by not holding him responsible for his evil behavior.
Insurance companies have “Acts of God.” Why not have “Acts of Satan?”
We know that God is actively working in our world providentially (Psalm 37) and that he tests us so we can grow (John 15:1-8). However more we could say about how God acts in our world today, Satan is still wreaking havoc on the world, destroying souls and lives. He is relentless and without any hint of goodness.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NKJV).
He devours people and fights against God in every way imaginable. Yet, Christians do not give the Devil the blame he deserves. Instead, we absolve Satan by blaming God for everything. We all hate being falsely accused, yet we do it to God all the time. Satan tears our loved ones apart and we turn and blame God.
We hold congressional hearings and demand accountability if a product on the market injures a handful of people. Yet, sin kills billions and the disinterest is deafening.
Satan eclipses all of the evil Hollywood can ever conceive. The evils that men do pale in comparison to what Satan does to humankind. He devours people’s souls, using them at will against God and his children and brings them to the eternal fires in hell (Matthew 25:46).
Millions claim that they hate Satan, yet do whatever he tells them to do. His voice perfectly mimics their own and convinces them that they are doing their own will, while controlling them like a puppet. They aspire to great heights but instead wallow in Satan’s filth.
He stands in crack dens, whorehouses, governmental offices, abortion mills and places of worship, leading his hideous chorus. He is thrilled as we disobey God and eagerly give our children to him.
Pagans promote Satan as real while Christians pretend he does not exist. The absurdity is astounding!
We must return to God’s Word with the realization that Satan is real and study anew who he is. Satan will quote Scripture and appear righteous (Matthew 4:5-6; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15). Therefore, we must become knowledgeable of his tricks (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11). Jesus must become the breath of our existence.
God has given us everything we need to repel Satan’s attacks. We can resist Satan and he will flee from us (James 4:7). Cling to Christ and Satan will have no power over us anymore. We must walk worthy of being in Christ (Ephesians 4:1) and give no place to evil (Romans 12:1-2).
We can develop a greater hatred of sin and do a better job of filling our time. Our companions must be wholesome and our minds focused.
Finally, we must not allow public shame to overshadow the pleasing of God. We must be courageous and follow God no matter what the price.
Satan is real. Do we care?
–by Richard Mansel @ www.forthright.net