May 1, 2024
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The world seems to be getting crazier, more chaotic and more dangerous every day. Evil and lies are showing up in all the places we used to trust – newspapers, newscasts, schools, churches, pulpits. Our Christian world view locates the source of this evil in a sentient spiritual being whose purpose is to distort truth, sow discord and destroy, in order to undermine God’s design and ensnare humanity in darkness.
I was having a conversation with Father Jeffrey Walker who at the time was Rector of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas. I asked, “Jeff, does the devil really exist?”
Jeff quickly replied, “You betcha!” Until then, I had never given much thought to the possibility of Satan being real.
In 1965 (almost sixty years ago), Paul Harvey broadcast a radio message about what he would do if he were the devil in order to destroy our nation’s culture and undermine our societal standards and social norms. His message has proven to be quite prophetic and continues to be a warning to Americans today of where our society is heading.
Harvey proclaims, “If I were the devil, if I were the prince of darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of its real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree – Thee.
“So, I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first. I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’
“To the young, I would whisper, ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’ And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington …’
“And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies … I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.
“If I were the devil, I’d soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves, until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings, I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
“If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions – just let those run wild until, before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.
“Within a decade, I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography. Soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil, I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.
“If I were the devil, I’d take from those who have, and give to those who wanted, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what do you bet – I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich.
“I would caution against extremes and hard work, in Patriotism and in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned … that what you see on the TV is the way to be …
“In other words, if I were the devil, I’d just keep right on doing what he’s doing.”
The evil we are experiencing in almost all areas of our lives today is too intelligent, too broad, too comprehensive and too devious to be simply of human origin. It is spiritual in nature and source and cannot be confronted by mere human means.
We are under constant spiritual attack. We are living in a battlefield amidst a war raging between good and evil … but the Lord is with us! The apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a Roman soldier’s armor and battle gear as He equips us with the weapons of spiritual warfare and urges us to put on the full armor of God:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:10-18, NIV
Satan exists. He is real. Satan destroys, divides and separates. Satan takes what is beautiful and ruins it. Our God is a Creator. He takes what’s ruined and makes it beautiful. The Bible says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 John 3:8b. Christ has overcome the devil. But even though he is a defeated spiritual power, the devil is still wreaking havoc on the world. Our God is a Good God and His Will, will be done.
We need to go to God in prayer and ask His help. We need to pray for deliverance from evil for ourselves and for our brothers and sisters, even our enemies who are lost and being used as pawns of evil. That’s one of the reasons Christ commands us to love and pray for our enemies. They are under bondage to evil and need to be set free. “Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'” John 8:31-32, NIV
J. D. Walt explains what’s at stake in our spiritual battle against the devil: “Friends and family, if you don’t believe there is an enemy of your soul who is out to steal your life from you – one hateful thought, impression, narrative at a time – then you are being set up for a fall. Hell has one goal: to extinguish your life and end the possibility that you would find your hope in God … To know Jesus is to know Him who is true, and to distinguish His voice from him who is false. Let’s learn to know the difference.” If we hold on to God’s truth, we won’t be trapped by Satan’s lies.
Does the devil really exist? You betcha!
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, put on the full armor of God!
QUESTION
Do you believe the devil exists?
PRAYER
Lord, help us to remember that we are under constant spiritual attack but You are with us. Surround us with your angels and protect us from Satan and his minions and from all evil and all harm. Lord, draw us away from the sin, and evil and darkness of this world, toward You and Your Goodness and Your Light and Your heavenly kingdom.
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:9-13, NIV
Amen
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!