Resources/Articles
Satan is Working. Are We?
There are so many signs of disturbances, violence, division, ingratitude, and rebellion in families and neighborhoods all across this nation. Various methods of philosophy, politics, and programs have been implemented to counter this activity. It seems that every time a problem arises, people turn to a government official, Congressman, manufacturer, or “special interest group” to lead a campaign against inappropriate, immoral, or illegal conduct.
The one who loves the upheaval, the blame, the injustice, and the turmoil is the one who has been working at this for so long - Satan. His abilities have preceded this generation and his record is available. His pattern is certain. His intent is destructive. He has no preference of age, gender, or race. He attacks all. In 1 Peter 5.8, Peter describes him: “...your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
The point in 1 Peter 5.8 is Satan is working - constantly working. The weak he easily makes weaker. The fearful fear more. The doubtful remain stuck. The silent stay quiet. The proud become hardened. The immoral imagine more lust. The false teacher he leads to speak things accepted by all. Satan has such an influence because he is “the god of this world” and “prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience” (2 Corinthians 4.4; Ephesians 2.2). How about that? Satan has a family of workers with him - “sons of disobedience.” The more members of this family he has, the greater his army - an army so large, it consists of a military force of “world-rulers of darkness” and “spiritual hosts of wickedness.” It will take a force outside this world to stop him (Ephesians 6.12).
Friend, Satan is working to destroy YOU!
He is YOUR enemy (1 Peter 5.8) - your personal enemy. While you think it is your spouse, the preacher, your boss, or your parents, your enemy is the devil. Your emotions may get carried away because someone said something you did not like. It could be you have been disrespected. It might be you have not been loved honorably. No matter what others do, it is Satan who wants to place an attitude, thought, or deed into your life to DESTROY YOU. He hates you. No one hates you more. He may use someone else to hate you, but it is he who hates you. He will harass. He will hinder. He will persecute. He will cause you to be busy. He will want your steps to follow him. He raises weeds in your heart, not fruit. He plants inside you seeds of selfishness, not humility or service. He wants to stop you. He leads you to your lack of self-control (1 Corinthians 7.5). Satan is a good destroyer by placing the bad in your life.
Friend, Satan is working to destroy YOUR FAMILY!
Complain about your spouse. He has you. Complain about your parents. He has you. Ignore one another. He has you. Cheat on and lie to one another. Never say, “I’m sorry.” He has you. Carry a grudge. He has you. Get your family tied up in busyness. He has you. Satan destroys a family when it is prayer-less, kind-less, love-less, and faith-less. If Satan can take a fruit and seduce a man and woman into sin and blame against one another, and if he can take a small moment of jealousy and turn it into a family homicide as he did with Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel, think of what he has in mind for your family. Nothing but evil. If he can create such trouble in a family spiritually, socially, and physically for it to be called dysfunctional, then he has destroyed your family. Satan does his best to have every “house divided against itself.” He knows it “shall not stand” (Matthew 12.25).
Friend, Satan is working to destroy THIS CHURCH!
The church is such a favorite target of Satan. This is where the devil knows the spiritual side of man can learn to reject God and approve of self. This is where Satan can use gimmicks, social attractions, and “angels of light” to “fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness” to deceive Christians into believing false doctrine (2 Corinthians 11.13-15). If the church ever begins to think outside the scripture, destruction is on the horizon. If a church ever buckles to the wishes and lusts of its members and the attacks of persecution and mockery, the church will be destroyed. If someone in the church can sow one seed of discontent, murmuring, or laziness, the church can be destroyed. If a Christian can create a small disagreement that escalates into members isolating and socially withdrawing from one another, then the church is on the threshold of having its candlestick removed. Satan glories in nothing more than to have a church with weak members and worldly-minded brethren. In whatever city or country Satan can enter a church and make his throne there, he will (Revelation 2.13). For a recorded history of Satan’s list of destroyed churches, read Revelation 2-3.
There is a way to stop Satan’s destructive rampage!
“In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2.11).
“Be sober, be watchful...withstand steadfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world” (1 Peter 5.8-9).
“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6.11).
“Abstain from every appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5.22).
“God is faithful...but will with the temptation make also a way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10.13).
“Be subject therefore unto God, but resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4.7).
“...with all prayer and supplication praying at all season in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance...” (Ephesians 6.18).
Do not try to outwork Satan. Just make sure you are working to apply the defenses given by God to destroy him before he has a chance to destroy you.
