Satan is Real and Active #2485

3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3–4, NKJV).

We must keep our eyes open and our lives illuminated by the light of the gospel lest Satan (the “god of this age”) blind us with his deceptions, and we perish in sin and darkness. He has already blinded unbelievers with his lies. The devil is real and active in this world, seeking his prey (Job 1:7; 2:2; 1 Pet. 5:8). Man has long ago mythologized Satan, turning him into merely a personification of evil. Sufficiently fictionalized and caricatured, the devil is undoubtedly pleased with being discounted as the figment of human imagination. For example, the Satanic Temple, sees “Satan as a metaphor for fighting religious tyranny and oppression” (Tarkus Claypool, from “An After School Satan Club could be coming to your kid’s elementary school,” The Washington Post, 2016). (See “After School Satan Club” for more.) Satan (“adversary”) is opposed to God and man (Gen. 3:4-5; Job 1:6-12; Matt. 4:1-11; 1 Pet. 5:8). The devil (“accuser”) is a liar who deceives the whole world (John 8:44; Rev. 12:9). We can resist his enticements in faith (James 1:12-14; 1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 4:14-16). Jesus Christ has destroyed the works of the devil (sin and death, 1 John 3:8; 1 Cor. 15:54-57). Christians overcome Satan in Christ by the blood of the Lamb, the word of God, and self-denial (Rev. 12:10-11). God crushes Satan under the feet of His faithful ones who walk in “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (Rom. 16:19-20; 2 Cor. 4:4).

Open Our Eyes that We May See #1760

16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16–17, NKJV)

The Syrian army had surrounded Dothan, a town in central Manasseh of the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophet Elisha was there, and had been thwarting the Syrian battle plans (2 Kgs. 6:8-13). Now, thinking to seize the prophet, king Benhadad dispatched his horses, chariots, and army. Things looked bleak. Elisha’s servant was terrified, but Elisha’s faith and God’s answer to prayer assured his servant in time of distress. The unseen forces of Jehovah were present, and He would win the day (2 Kgs. 6:18-23). Dear Christian, as you face the adversary’s efforts to distract, discourage, and defeat you, remember Elisha’s words as they echo through the ages, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Open your eyes of faith and see the army of God. We are more than conquerors through Christ, who lovingly gave Himself for us, and who ever lives to intercede for us (Rom. 8:34-39). Faithfully withstand the enemy in the evil day, clothed with the armor of God and strong in the power of His might (Eph. 6:10-13, 14-18).

Conduct Worthy of the Gospel #1574

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. (Philippians 1:27–28, NKJV)

Would you change your conduct if you knew an apostle was coming to see you? What if you knew he would hear about your conduct? Of course, God knows our conduct at all times. So, our lives must always be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Worthy conduct is defined here as “standing fast in one spirit,” as well as “with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Conduct worthy of the gospel involves faithful steadfastness in the face of spiritual adversity. It also involves our united effort with fellow Christians in contending for the faith (Jude 3). When we are faithful to the gospel of Christ we are not terrified by the opponents of the faith. How can we be confident in the face of adversity? By trusting that God will execute righteous judgment upon every adversary of Christ and His church (Romans 2:5-6). Salvation is sure to those whose conduct is worthy of the gospel. Be sure that describes you today and every day.