In the Bible, Satan is compared to a serpent, a thief, the accuser, angel of light, the deceiver, murder, liar, dragon and a roaring lion. No wonder Peter tells us to be sober-minded and watchful. It isn’t like Satan will appear as himself and say, “Hey, let’s go sin together.” No…he comes slithering in like a snake, stealing our joy like a thief, whispering accusations in our ear making use feel like we are worthy of nothing. He comes disguising himself as an angel of light bringing confusion and deceit. He comes lying, saying “there is no God so that we die in our sins and spend eternity in hell. He comes as a dragon bring terror and calamity. His very name, “Satan” means adversary and he wants nothing more than to devour someone…keeping them from accepting Christ as Savior or causing the Christian to stumble. However, 1 John 4:4 says, “the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Satan’s time is limited. His days are numbered. His destiny awaits him. He already knows the end of the story. Revelation 20:10 tells us, “And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” The only question for us, is will we allow Satan to devour us, taking us with him? Will we believe his lies and be thrown into the lake of fire too? John 8:32 says, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) 1 Timothy 2:4, says that God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Satan wants to deceive, steal, kill, and destroy. But God says, “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
Be sober. Be watchful. Stay on guard. Suit up.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:11-18)
