“Our culture has no time to take seriously “mythological categories” such as the devil and the powers. Sadly, the church often follows culture in this supernatural skepticism. We seem to accept that this language is only fit for fantasy novels, or at the best belongs to an unenlightened time in history or more primitive cultures.”[1]
In his book, Screwtape Letters, we find Screwtape, a demon, teaching his nephew: “The fact that ‘devils’ are predominantly comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights.”
The Devil is not a cartoon character that comes in obvious ways. He is a cunning enemy. He comes to us as he came to Jesus in the wilderness – in our hunger. He comes at opportune times. And what he whispers is: “You don’t have to stay hungry; you know. There are options.” The lie is that the options will bring us what we most deeply want and need. They won’t. Every idol is an imposter. Jesus responds, “Those options are not true life. No thank you.”
May God give us the discernment to recognize when the hands of demons are at work. They are real beings. Not ones prancing about in red tights but ones roaming about seeking whom they might devour. Stay vigilant and spiritually alert. Stand firm in the Lord.
Ephesians 6:10-11, “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
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[1] Strobel, Kyle & Jamin Goggin. The Way of the Dragon or The Way of The Lamb: Searching for Jesus’ Path of Power In A Church That Has Abandoned It. Thomas Nelson Books, 2021.