Do You Believe?

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

My title for today is “Do You Believe.” You were probably thinking I was talking about Christ, but I am speaking of Satan.

It is incredible to me that so many who profess to be Christians do not believe that Satan exists today. I have heard all kinds of things like: He is not for real, he is not on earth, or he lives in hell. Listen, he has probably stood beside you in a store. He may have sat beside you in a restaurant, bus, or train. But he certainly knows what will trip you up. He may have even asked God to test you as he did Job.

Can Satan read our minds? There is nothing in scripture to indicate Satan is omniscient or knows everything. He is not omnipresent, so he cannot be everywhere at once like God. Satan is a networker and relies on a network of demons to bring him information on us.

Folks, let’s be clear: Satan is real, demonic principalities are real, and we are genuinely engaged in a spiritual battle against them. Make no mistake: Satan wants to take you away from God.

So, when we pray aloud to God or speak aloud to vanquish his demons, he and they hear us. The closer you get to God, the harder Satan will pull at you. However, Satan does not want to be around our praying because we are communing with God, we are in God's presence and He hears our prayers. When we meet in fellowship, Satan does not want to be around. Remember Jesus’ words: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”(Matt 18:20 ESV). Satan does not want to be in the presence of the Lord. Many times, I have used Christ’s words, “Get behind me, Satan,” and many times, I have told him that I am the Lord’s, not his when I feel the darkness around me.

Satan is truly real, so are his demons, and so is hell. Jesus used passages from Deuteronomy to battle Satan in the wilderness for 40 days. We, too, must use scripture to fight Satan. Walk with Christ daily and know that the enemy is ready to pounce. Reflect Christ to everyone; chances are, for the most part, he will leave you alone, but if not, give him a right cross and a good dose of Christ.

Father God,

We know Satan is real and that Christ watched him fall like lightning. We know he is a liar, a tempter, and the great accuser. Father, help us resist temptation. Let us be strong in the light that brings life to the world, your Son, our Lord. Please help us in this spiritual war so that we may bring more souls for you to save and multiply your saints on earth.

Merciful Father, we pray this in Christ’s name, Amen.