We hear of Satan often in church.
The world only reminds us of him in song and story.
Of course we all know, "The devil made me do it".
When God created man, the creation was a step below the
angels. Satan was the top angel before his revolt with God.
So are we less powerful than Satan? No way!
You have become baptized and a child of God. Higher
and more powerful than the angels. Where is Satan's power
today?
Satan was quite active in the Bible.
He tempted Jesus, he was expelled from many that were
inflicted with him, he even challenged God on whether Job loved God
enough.
Where is Satan today? Is he
active? We have still heard of people excorsized and stories
of demons. I really think that Satan is sitting back relaxing
now. He has the world running on autopilot. He
really doesn't have to do much. Let us examining the
following:
We eat better than anyone in history.
Food is now plentiful in all varieties.
We have plenty of time for pleasure
(sports, entertainment)
We have a multitude of "gods" (royalty,
stars, sports heros, politicians)
We have easy work (mostly desk jobs or
machines to do heavy work)
We have communications to lead us away
from God (learn hate and revenge)
We have many ways to concentrate on the
world (money, economy)
We have many ways to fill our time
(hobbies, interests)
We have temptations heaped upon us with
little or no ethics
We are IN TROUBLE
Now, he kicks into overdrive.
With terriorism, nationalism, crime, ethnic disputes, etc.,
he has hate being generated at a massive rate. Add in
retribution and revenge, and we have a real problem. Hate is
of the world, the devil, and his works. Love, forgiveness,
and mercy are the works of the Lord. Are you drawn in to his
web?
Is God first, last and always in your
life? Why not? Remember we are to:
"and you shall love the
Lord
your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, `You shall love
your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than
these."
Mark 12:30-31
Yes, Satan doesn't need to much these
days, we and the rest of the world are doing it for him.
May the Lord, our Father, instill the Holy Spirit
in each of us to be the child that you want us to be. In
Jesus
name and His assurance that you will do this, we ask as your child.
Amen
