Don't Give Him Publicity!

Photo by: dan

Even writing this post is doing what I hate: focusing on the devil’s activities. Why should we as Christians be thinking about all the bad stuff? Why should we be giving Satan credit for the work he does in the earth? Why do we give him publicity?

No, I don’t think we need to be Christians with our heads in the sand, unaware of the enemy. The Bible says we’re to Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world (1 Peter 5:8-9). Read the verses that follow on the heels of the ones we just saw. Notice the balance: But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).

We’re admonished in Ephesians 6 to wear the armor of God. Again, it’s defensive, except for the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). Without being strong in our spirit and wearing the armor of God, we simply will not be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:11-12).

We’re to be aware, resist, run from, and combat by quoting Scripture. But we don’t need to give the devil credit for evil that's done all over the world.

The devil is limited (by God). He is not:

• Omnipresent—He can only be in one place at a time. Yes, he has lots of helpers, but we can’t say things like, “That was the devil,” since, chances are, it wasn’t.
• Omniscient—Only God can discern the thoughts of our hearts. The devil doesn’t know everything about everyone. Yes, his forces can attack our thoughts, but he doesn’t know everything.
• Omnipotent—Again, only God has all power. We see how God limits Satan in the beginning of the biblical book of Job. Satan had no power to afflict Job, except with God’s permission. He was limited in the extent of his attacks on a believer. That is also true today.
• Eternal—The devil was a created being, named Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12), who rebelled against God and fell from grace (Luke 10:18). He has been God's adversary ever since. The devil’s end will be in the lake of fire, along with demons and unbelievers.

Instead of crediting the devil for things he might or might not have done, wouldn’t it be better to:

• Think on whatsoever things are: true, honest, just, pure, lovely, worthy of good report and praise, and virtuous? (from Philippians 4:8)
• Glorify God? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:20).
• Credit God for His greatness? Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable (Psalm 145:3).
• Appreciate God’s Hand in men’s lives? For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
• Meditate on God’s Word? But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night (Psalm 1:2).
• Rejoice in the fact that God has already defeated the devil? It’s future, but it’s going to happen. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10).

Consider Jesus’ teaching: And the seventy (disciples sent out with the apostles) returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils (demons) are subject unto us through thy name. And he (Jesus) said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:17-20).

Christians should focus on: our salvation, the goodness and greatness of God, and the Word of God.

We need to put on the whole armor in defense, and not give in, and we need to carry our sword (the Bible) with us in our hearts and in our hands, so that we can combat any fiery darts of the enemy.

May God help us to concentrate on Him and rejoice in Him!

(Here’s a similar post that might interest you. It’s about presuming that we know what God and the devil are doing. Click here.)