Satan Is Real

2 Corinthians 11:14

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

In High School there were several High School teams we got up for above all the rest. They were our rivals so to speak. Severna Park and Arundel were those teams (I attended Annapolis High School). There was no South River and no Broadneck High Schools in those days and Southern rarely gave us a scare in football (basketball yes – but not football).

In High School – whole schools get up for that week’s opponent – that week’s enemy. School colors were/are all over the stadium – pep rallies and other events often precede contests with the number one foe. You don’t need to tell a High School student which schools are the arch rivals! They know it. They’ve heard about the rivalry well before they arrived at High School.

Unfortunately – many Christians aren’t aware that our number one enemy is Satan – the devil. This might be because some preachers – even some denominations – don’t believe in or articulate enough about the presence of this chief demon – this fallen angel. Because we don’t acknowledge something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Today’s passage gives us some insight into the chief demon – Satan. Here it is in partial context.  2 Corinthians 11:12-15 – ¹²And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.¹³For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

God – through Paul – is warning the early church and the church today as well – that some who represent themselves as servants of the Most High are indeed wolves in sheep’s clothing. They are masquerading as children of the light but are really children of the darkness. And why should we be surprised that he writes – for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. Satan – a fallen angel himself – tries to fool the children of God by representing himself as an angel of light rather than an angel of darkness.

I do not think I can – in one devotional thought – give overwhelming proof of Satan’s plan – but I do want to suggest here today that we take a serious look at the Scriptures that teach about Satan. Here’s one that we should all know. 1 Peter 5:8 – Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Satan – the devil – a fallen angel – is our number one enemy dear readers. He is real and battles against our spiritual desires every day. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! I often add – not to scripture but to that thought – that the old hasn’t gone very far and that Satan tries to raise it up in our lives – daily – even moment by moment.

Dear readers – please know that our number one enemy is Satan – but that he has been defeated – if we rely on Jesus. Colossians 2:15 – And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Put your trust in Jesus and stand opposed to the devil! Satan is real – but God has overcome him through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Just something for us to think about today as we go on our way.

P.S. – Each day – between now and the election in November – pray. Each day – between now and the General Conference in August of 2021 – pray. Pray that God would make clear the direction we should be headed as Christians.