|
 Madelyn
Murray O'Hare, in a speech delivered on the campus of Southwest
Texas State University, ridicules the "Christian's belief
in the existence of this being called Satan." Many today
scoff at the idea of a spiritual conflict being fought over the
souls of men — and it is not uncommon to hear the "more
educated" of our country refer to Satan and this great
battle as Hebrew mythology. It seems the "god of this
world" has been highly successful in "blinding the
minds of the unbelieving" (II Cor. 4:4).
But
these are conclusions drawn by those who refuse to acknowledge a
moral force greater than man. The unbeliever sees evil and human
suffering as "proof" that there is no omniscient,
omnipotent and benevolent God; and consequently, no spiritual
realm of any sort, whether good or evil. The Christian views the
same as evidence that a great battle is being waged — sin,
suffering and spiritual death being the consequences of that
battle.
As
people of God, we should be able to recognize the scores of
casualties in this conflict: the drunkard, the drug addict, the
unwed mother, the disillusioned and the atheist. Not only should
we see the conflict in our surroundings, but we should accept
the divine explanation for it— "Be sober, be watchful:
your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). Our own
observations coupled with Biblical warnings should serve as
constant reminders of our susceptibility to Satan's power and
influence.
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Yet,
even with these advantages many Christians have drifted into
spiritual complacency. Some forge battles they once fought, and
practices which were abhorred are "no really that
bad — after all." We ca n see fellow soldiers who, at one
time stood uncompromisingly for the truth— but now one
"small" defeat after an other leads them further and
further away from God. Still others have been deluded into
thinking their "front line" days are over and they can
now sit back and allow others to continue the fight.
It
is time to wake up! "All that is necessary for the forces
of evil to win in this world is for enough good men to do
nothing" (E. Burke) One of the greatest aids to the cause
of Satan is the self-delusion that "there is no battle, or
at least, reason for me to become involved in the
conflict!" Satan has deceived many into thinking
"Peace, peace when there is no peace" (Jer. 6:14),
His
forces of evil are at work to lull us to sleep and subtly leads
us into spiritual destruction. Remember... he is called "Apollyon
and Abaddon” (death and destroyer), "the tempter, "a
murderer from the beginning" and "the deceiver of the
whole world (Rev. 9:11; 12:9; 1Thes. 3:5; Jn. 8:44). Also, John
records Satan as declaring war on those "that keep the
commandments of God, and hold to the testimony of Jesus"
(Rev. 12:17). There is a Satan; there is a great battle
being winged over the souls of men. If we are not actively
engaging ourselves in this conflict, WE ARE BEING DEFEATED!
Kevan O'Banion
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