During a recent sermon, I found myself once again being told that the devil is liar. He specializes in deceit. Coupled with “harden not your heart, when you hear the Word of the Lord,” it made me wonder that the voice you hear urging you to resist God’s word must be the devil’s. When these two voices collide in your spirit, one needs to be careful; deep water ahead.
One of my favorite verses of scripture is “Some people are like seed along the path where the Word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the Word sown in them.” Mark 4:15.
We have all probably reacted or responded appropriately when we discovered we were being used or made a fool of by somebody. I’m guessing it wasn’t a pretty sight for the perpetrator of such an act towards you. I know after pain comes anger. After anger usually comes action. It’s definitely not pretty.
If only the devil would show his hand the way that God does His. Now it starts to make sense. The devil is a liar because he has to be. He specializes in presenting situations in such a manner that he’s the last person you suspect of making your life a real hell on earth.
“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 11: 14-15.
When Satan is hard at work in your life, it is probably at a time when you are trying to hear from God. The bible says watch out here because it is at these times that so-called friends will show up to “help,” “guide” and “console” us. You can look back now and realize it was the devil at work all along.
The devil is so cunning that he sees to it that we blame others, rationalize our actions, defend our sins and otherwise fault life for what we have total control over. We explain it all away and thereby clear a path straight to hell, when all we really had to do was listen to that still deep voice from within that belongs to God.
Rarely do we permit ourselves the time and depth of thought to recognize He was in the middle of many a regrettable morning after. If we did, then the Word of God would have emerged out of what appeared to be chaos and confusion to lead us and guide us out of the mess of the moment.
“Be careful then, how you live-not as unwise but wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians $: 15-18.
The key to recognizing the difference between God’s word and Satan’s: one uplifts you while the other seeks to destroy you.
