Lucifer promised more than he could
deliver in heaven. He offered his fellow
angels the opportunity to dethrone God and rule the universe as sovereigns. However, he had not the clout to make this
happen. Lucifer and the demons were
found out, excommunicated, and destined for an appointment with the Lake of
Fire. Satan lied!
In the garden of Eden, in front of
Adam and Eve, he twisted God’s truth and replaced it with his own. He offered them the opportunity to distrust God
and follow his lead. He promised them
they would be “just like God.” But again
he oversold. Again he promised more than
he could deliver. In the beginning,
Satan lied!
And on, and on, and on, it goes.
Even Jesus was personally targeted
by the devil. [read Matthew 4:1-11] The
Master then warned Peter about Satan’s ploys: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan
demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat …. (Luke 22:31)
Peter would warn his readers about
the Antichrist: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your
adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Satan is relentless in his desire to
diminish God’s glory. However, since
Satan cannot touch God, he sets his sights on those bearing God’s image. But he has no power over God’s beloved
children. They are united with Christ,
filled with the Holy Spirit, and they have nothing to fear in regards to the
power of the evil one. The Holy Spirit
is their shield and strength. Greater is
the Spirit in them than the devil who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Christians are more than conquerors through
Christ Jesus who loves them. (Romans 8:37)
Martin Luther presented the believer’s position well in his famous hymn:
And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us. We will not fear for God has willed His truth
to triumph through us. The Prince of
Darkness grim. We tremble not for him. His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure.
One little word shall fell him.
But while Satan has no power, but he
can still lie – and lie he does. In the
Apocalypse, the Apostle John presents Satan’s persistent job description: “Now
the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His
Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who
accuses them day and night before our God.” (Revelation 12:9-10)
He is relentless; night and day
Satan never stops accusing the brothers; he never stops telling lies about
those identified with Christ. And what
are the lies of Satan which we Christians are most inclined to believe? The following is a good sampling of Satan’s
non-truths:
- God is not sovereignly active in His lordship over absolutely everything.
- God provides full pardon for sins, but He does not provide full righteousness.
- God graciously does His part and expects man to perform and earn his own righteous credit.
- God responds to His children with justice; He shows more favor to those more obedient.
- God is angry at His perfectly justified saints who are imperfectly sinful.
- God has some measure of condemnation ahead for sinful believers.
- God requires some proof of repentance before fully reconciling with prodigals.
- God would have His preachers discount the Law.
- God would have His preachers be cautious in the presentation of grace; people could abuse this concept.
- God would have His children hide their sin … less they mess up their Christian testimony and hinder His Church’s growth.
Listen, Christians: The Holy Spirit
does not time-share with your soul. Since
God has taken title and residence in your heart, Satan is persona non grata.
However, he can and still does lie; and
if you heed his propaganda, you will be temporarily dispossessed of your
freedom and joy. Children of God, listen
to your gracious Father; read the Good News (again); tell it to yourself, and
then tell it to your sinfully troubled brothers and sisters. It is by grace (alone) that we are saved and perfectly
clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is finished — our sin debt has been paid; our
righteous requirements have been met. All
of Christ’s inheritance is ours. All of
Christ’s holiness is ours. Do not give
away your birthright to the devil. When
God looks at us, He sees (only) the beauty of His Holy Son … and it makes Him
smile.
Rev.
Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain
(Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling
Memorial Chapel
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