Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:42-44
The Bible has many names for Satan; most include names like deceiver, father of lies, snake, and many other names that are derogatory and away from God. Satan manipulates people into not finding God or getting them to leave God. We must all keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the cross, and God our father. Be aware, Satan has a “to do” list today.
I found a portion of Satan’s list (not really, but play along) I want to share it with you, you may know more on his list:
Tell people that a little sin is okay. God will forgive us anyway.
Tell people “Go ahead, you can judge this person. God doesn’t like them anyway.”
Tell people “God won’t forgive me this time.”
Tell people God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are just a lie to make them feel better.
Tell people God is just a crutch for the weak.
Tell people go ahead, because some controversy and division in their church and the body as a whole, things need to be shaken up a bit anyway.
Tell people “Hey, she/he looks good. You are consenting adults. No one will get hurt.”
Tell people foul language, dirty jokes, and gossip are okay. No one will get hurt.
Tell people it is okay to check out pornography. No one will get hurt.
Tell people “Come on, God really didn’t mean it that way.”
Manipulate people’s hearts and minds.
Cause distractions; baffle people’s minds with meaningless details.
Help people believe things like: I am tired. I don’t need church. I am too busy. I have no time for church events, fellowships, and studying God’s Word. God is too busy for me. He isn’t listening anyway.
I know you can add to this list. Satan is alive and working in this world to keep us away from God. I am not talking about Flip Wilson’s Satan “The Devil Made Me Do It.” I am talking about a very real Satan, a very real force in the world. I can be very vulnerable if I am not praying, studying God’s Word, or open to correction from God and other mature disciples.
God Bless
Ken Jones
From the book A Prodigal Return available at aprodigalreturn.com
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