The Devil You Say
Are you inclined to ask questions for which there are no answers? Keep in mind God has told us everything we need to know. All “need to know” questions have answers. There are questions seeking to know what we don’t need to know. All we really need to know about God is found in this text.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1: 18 – 21).
First, He opposes all unrighteousness. That is logical in that “God is love.” The very essence of love is God.
Next, what can be known about God has been made known in Scripture and creation.
Finally, in this passage the issue is not what is unknown, but the rejection of the known. Why and how? The answer is found in this text: “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:9).
Speaking of the Devil metaphorically Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10: 10). That is the primary role of the Devil.
Scripture, speaking of the devil’s minions, says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6: 12). The Devil’s allies are thus depicted.
We are counseled to: “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” (Ephesians 6: 10, 11).
The most effective tactic of the Devil is noted in my italics in this text. He schemes to deceive. If he deceives acts of deception are of the Devil. In our national politics do you see deception? If so, it is of the Devil. Opposing acts of deception is fighting against the Devil.
Our choices are obvious. The design of the Devil is to scheme how to deceive.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Do you want to follow deception or the truth, the Lord Jesus or the Devil?