#2547 0225 18A

            Anything can be disguised, so anything can be deceptive. Satan is always disguised and can be 2 Cor. 11:14 “transformed into an angel of light,” so he never stops trying to deceive those who are not aware of his evil intentions. He has controlled the world for centuries, and is determined to destroy everyone forever! “The whole world is under the control of the evil one” 1 John 5:19.

            Satan is deceiving more souls than ever, because people are not aware of his disguise. Unspeakable crimes, maliciousness, evil, wicked acts, and unchecked immorality is everywhere today. Believers are outnumbered, but a trusting faith on the Blood of Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be free from addictive habits and wrong desires.

            Overcoming the temptation to stray outside the will of God on anything is important—1 John 5:4 “For every child of God overcomes the world; and the victorious principle which has overcome the world is our faith.” The reward is so worth it Revelation 2:7 “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

            Satan’s fingerprints are everywhere—a high state of alert is crucial, because his only objective is to destroy our soul forever. Any thing; any habit; any interest; any book—Kindle or hard copy—including any entertainment that would not have God’s approval, would have Satan’s endorsement—and be deceptive. Anything that the devil has conceived is designed to destroy our soul—we must be James 1:22 “doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

            Life today is a serious “striving against sin” Hebrews 12:4 because Satan can change his appearance; and he can disguise anything to deceive the naive. Any advice or any device that would put wrong thoughts in our mind, can be traced back to the serpent. Satan is cunning, clever, and bent on destroying souls—that is what makes him so dangerous. The suffering and loss of life from abuse of drugs, alcohol, murder, immorality, and suicide is beyond counting.

            After reading or viewing something, we should ask—What am I thinking after seeing that film or reading that book! Are they godly thoughts or worldly thoughts! The serpent beguiled Eve to disobey God, and the devil is still deceiving, because the world is more rebellious than ever. It is Satan himself “who is now at work in those who are disobedient” Ephesians 2:2.

            A primary weapon of choice is the devil’s pride of heart! He has used pride to destroy millions! That same pride was his own downfall. He boasted Isaiah 14:13-14 “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”

            Anything can be disguised to deceive. Many things may seem innocent on the surface, but Satan is out to corrupt anything and to destroy everyone. He tries to have us be so involved; so occupied; or so busy with something or anything—that there is no time for the children; the family; Bible reading, or prayers. What a child needs most, cost us the least!—our time and our attention! Once those moments are lost; they can never be reclaimed. We must be Ephesians 5:16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

            Satan has a diverse game plan—he tempts millions to use modern technology in an unscriptural way. The exponential growth of people online with tablets and mobile devices today is staggering! Everyone wants to be connected, informed, entertained, and purchasing instantly. Satan persistently tempts people to use modern devices in a way that would cause spiritual harm. The devil is out to ruin lives; destroy marriages; and enslave people through obsessive behaviors.

            Television is a major tool in Satan’s arsenal of devices, and he is in back of every executive decision concerning what is shown. Most programs subtly manipulate viewers to think like the world. The majority of TV programs give an anti-Christian message. The addictive nature of television, is evidence of who is behind the scenes.

            The world in general has accepted television, because the devil has convinced the world that it cannot be well-informed in this modern age without it. There is no such thing as must-see TV. The problem today is that most tablets and mobile devices are able to show what used to be only on television. Everyone needs to be warned and aware every minute.

            Anything that can be controlled can be corrupted—and anything that can be disguised will be designed to deceive someone. Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil.” Satan’s names describe his intentions—Adversary, Accuser, Belial [wicked], Deceiver, Tempter, Tormentor, liar, and Murderer John 8:44.

            Satan is a fallen angel who controls an evil empire of agents who help carry out his wicked objectives. Revelation 12:9 “The great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

            Satan’s hatred of God is seen in his cruelty toward people. From the first murder by Cain—who “belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother” 1 John 3:12, to the red dragon with seven heads and ten horns Revelation 12:3—Satan is malicious, hateful, and determined to destroy people forever. We must be able to say 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

            Our spiritual interests must be priority regarding whatever we are doing, viewing; reading, or hearing. Is there some subtle deception in what I am involved with; or spending my time doing! Would I want Jesus to join me in what I’m planning to do!  

            Satan is a master of a million disguises. He has deceived billions to be involved with things that are self-destructive—activities that could end their lives all too soon, and all too unprepared for eternity. However, Satan can destroy a person’s body, mind, or health—he will do it. Millions crave things that could end their life way before there is any preparation for the next eternal one.

            Any interest or activity can seem innocent of itself, but it could be deceptive in some devious way. Even if we are not directly harming anyone, our involvement could hinder someone’s faith by sending a wrong message. Romans 14:21 “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.”

            Extreme sports; dangerous activities; risk-taking; and addictive habits have ended the lives of multitudes—all too soon—all too unprepared for eternity! Satan will keep on deceiving—and he will take a million souls at once, or one at a time—whatever works best for him! Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” 

            Satan has been relentless in ruining lives through alcohol, drugs, immorality, and suicide.  He deceives people by having them put their faith in prescriptions, pills, policies, or anything—just so it is not God. Millions of things have the potential to be an idol—Exodus 20:5 “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.” 

            Satan can appear in any form; any disguise; or any color, shape, or design. We should not be surprised, 2 Corinthians 11:14 “for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light”—that could even mean a religious message. 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

            Deceptive doctrines are everywhere today—radio, television, online, religious books, or printed tracts. They can easily mislead, because they can subtly omit what cannot be omitted—a trusting faith on the Blood of Christ—faith for healing, protection, finances, and everything else.

            Not much has changed—2 Peter 2:1 “There were also false prophets among the people, as there will be teachers of falsehood among you also, who will cunningly introduce fatal divisions, disowning even the Sovereign Lord who has redeemed them, and bringing on themselves swift destruction.”

            Millions who profess faith in Christ, do not trust on His Blood in faith. John 3:18 “He who trusts in Him does not come up for judgement. He who does not trust has already received sentence, because he has not his trust resting on the name of God’s only Son.” Instead of trusting on the shed Blood of Christ, they trust on a written prescription from a doctor; or investment plan from a bank.

            John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Jesus came to destroy the devil’s power, and God wants to prepare us for His Kingdom, but we must choose to believe in order to receive His Spirit.

            We are seeing things today that were never imagined before. Satan wants to depress and discourage; to deceive and destroy, but 1 John 4:4 “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” Our faith in the Atonement of Christ overcomes the deceiver of our soul.

            We lose big-time and every time if we go against a disguised deceiver in our own strength. He is out to destroy us in any way he can. Our trust on God, through the Atonement of His Son, enables us to recognize deception and disguises. We must judge our own attitudes and activities.

            Our reading material, viewing choices, surfing activities, and anything we spend time with, must have God’s approval. What goes through the eye-gate—resides in our memory-bank, and will affect our words, our attitudes, and our decisions. If what we are selecting or being involved with does not have God’s approval—then it would have the world’s.

            Children are watching, listening, and learning by what we say and do. Our choices must show them how to make right choices; our words must teach them how a believer in Christ talks.  And what we are involved with should not steal time from them.

            Satan, of course, wants to harm us spiritually and destroy us ultimately—if it takes a week, a month, or a lifetime. 1 Corinthians 11:31 “If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Satan is responsible for deceiving millions to reject God’s Truth and sending them into eternity unrepentant and unprepared to meet the Judge of everyone!  Unbelief has never been worse.  1 Timothy 4:1 “The Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons [devils].”

            For the truly repentant believer, the reward is everlasting life—but for billions of people who live a lie—by their own willful choice, the destroyer of souls has the last laugh.