Beware of Satan's Smooth-talking Spokesmen
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
“God troubles now in order that He may comfort forever. Satan comforts now in order that he may trouble forever.” – C.H. Spurgeon
If you or I could take a peek at Satan’s playbook for deceiving people and leading them to hell, I think we would discover that two of his most successful strategies are busyness and material success.
Satan knows that busy people have less time to focus on what really matters, such as where they will spend eternity. He figures if he can keep them occupied with more temporal issues like their jobs, their homes, their health, and their vacations, he has them right where he wants them.
Likewise, Satan often “blesses” people with wealth, position, power, and even fame in order to lull them into feeling self-sufficient. Rich people rarely realize – or are willing to admit – the fact that they are spiritually bankrupt and desperately need Jesus (see Matthew 19:24). I suppose that is why Christ told His disciples not to worry about food, drink, health, or clothing (see Matthew 6:25); but rather to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (see Matthew 6:33).
Jesus also told His disciples that they would face opposition – and even hate – from the world if they followed Him (see Matthew 5:11-12; John 15:18-20; and John 16:33). Conversely, Satan and his smooth-talking spokesmen promise their followers “their best life now” which includes perfect health and abundant earthly riches.
As Mark Twain famously said, “There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.” My friend, please don’t become one of Satan’s statistics by believing his lies, which originate from the very pit of hell itself. Trust Christ instead and follow Him as closely as humanly possible.
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 (BSB)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
