|
|
|
What name do you use to describe yourself? Perhaps these terms apply: husband, father, grandfather,
son, uncle, citizen, Christian. All of these are not just names but descriptive terms of
familiarity. Yet what name would you use to describe an enemy; a deadly, ferocious enemy? Every
human being, and especially a Christian, have such an enemy — the devil.
The Bible describes him by many descriptive terms — the devil, Satan, god of this world, etc. Because it is inspired of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17) and a guide for humanity (2 Pet. 1:3), it warns us of this enemy of our souls. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). It is always beneficial to examine in depth the terms the Bible uses. This is especially true when describing this being. As in human warfare, we must study our enemy and know him. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:12). "And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him" (Zech. 3:1). By definition, Satan means "an adversary; one who opposes another in purpose and act". He is an adversary of God and Jesus Christ. He tested or tempted Jesus in the wilderness right after Jesus' baptism (Mark 1:13). In that time of physical weakness he tried to cause Christ to sin but miserably failed (Heb. 4:15). Jesus defeated Satan with the word of God, the sword of the Spirit, and so can we (Matt. 4:10; Heb. 4:12). But the Lord's adversary did not give up after that initial encounter. He worked against the Lord even within His own disciples. "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan, hath desired to have you, that he may sift you like wheat" (Lk. 22:31). "Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot..." (Lk. 22:3). Satan is and always has been an adversary of God's people. He hates those who have chosen to follow the Lord, Christians. For example, when Paul and his colleagues wished to return to the city of Thessalonica Satan "hindered" them (1 Thess. 2:18). He tries at every turn to thwart brotherly love in the church (2 Cor. 2:11). He uses false religion to undermine the Truth (Rev. 2:9). He even uses false brethren (Rev. 2:13). The child of God should expect Satan to oppose them at every turn. "But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries" (1 Cor. 16:8, 9). Satan is an adversary of all humanity. Few understand that if they are not children of God — Christians — they are children of Satan (1 Jn. 3:8). We either are in Satan's kingdom or Christ's kingdom, the church of Christ (Eph. 2:2). Just as Christ loves and cherishes humanity, so Satan hates them and wants them to go to hell along with him. "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15). "And I head a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Literally, the term "devil" means "an accuser, a slanderer" (Vine's). Being our sworn enemy the devil accuses man to God and God to man (Gen. 3:4-5; Job 2:4-5). By lies and deception he instigates sin and tempts man to sin. "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will" (2 Tim. 2:26). He seeks to destroy the work of God; specifically the word of God (Mk. 4:15). He seeks to accomplish this goal by various means: 1) By outright distortions of the Bible (skepticism and atheism); 2) By denying the inspiration and authority of the Bible (liberalism and modernism) and, 3) By mistranslations of the Bible. "For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven" (Psa. 119:89). "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:13-14). Paul was writing about false teachers who were trying to convert the brethren in Corinth to a false gospel. All false teachers follow a familiar pattern. First they beguile and deceive. Then they use subtlety or craftiness. Finally they corrupt the mind from simplicity to error. "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Cor. 11:3). False teachers like their master, Satan, can assume a pleasing appearance. They may be handsome and well educated. They often have an irenic spirit which belies their true intent (Matt. 23:27). Satan is the same way and would appear angelic. We should not expect a man in a red suit with horns or a hideous being as portrayed in movies. Only the Bible shows his true spiritual hideousness. "And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (Rev. 2:13). "For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain" (1 Thess. 3:5). "Tempter" means "one who tests or tries us" (Vine's). How does Satan tempt us? The Apostle John reveals how he does this in 1 John 2:15-16. Temptation begins with the "love" or allurement of this world (1 Jn. 5:19). We are then overcome by lust and pride: flashiness, sensuality, a false sense of invincibility (Josh.7:21). The result of giving in to temptation is spiritual death or separation from God. "For the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). How may we gain victory over this horrible creature? We do it by leaving his kingdom and becoming a citizen of Christ's kingdom. In other words, become a faithful New Testament Christian. How does one become a Christian?
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (Jn. 3:5). When Saul of Tarsus was charged by Jesus Christ to go preach the gospel to the Gentiles it was, "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me" (Acts 26:18). My friend, have you escaped the clutches of this hideous being? Only by turning to God and His word can you do this. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Please never forget that the devil is desperate. He knows that "he hath but a short time" (Rev. 12:12). My prayer is that you heed the warning of the Bible. |