A Real Devil?

For some, the Devil is a boogeyman who lives only in fiction and is simply used to scare little children and feebleminded Christians into strict obedience.  For others, he is a very real enemy whose deceptions, temptations, and hindrances are very tangible.  To the former I can only offer sympathy as you attempt to bury your head deeper into the sand.  To the latter I offer this…

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare

Too many people are oblivious to the epic spiritual war that surrounds them on a daily basis.  We go about our lives as if unaffected by the spiritual battle that wages.  I’m reminded of the American classic novel The Red Badge of Courage when the protagonist notices while laying upon his back in the midst of a great battle, the birds chirping in the trees and flying overhead as if completely oblivious to and unaffected by the bloody battle that lies below.  So too are we who stay utterly focused upon the temporally world of houses, cars, and computers.  We are fixated on the “real world” and forget that there is a world far more real than this temporal matrix in which we find ourselves.  Some are becoming aware of the light.  They hear of a loving God who sent His perfect Son to pay for the sins of mankind.  They hope at this most profound thought and pray that it might be true.  In the light they begin to trust, but in the darkness they seriously doubt.

The Reality of the Dark Side

Why is it that so many “rational” people deny the existence of a real and personal devil?  What are these blinded souls imagining when they hear the word, Satan.  Perhaps they picture a sinister man in red tights, with curly mustache, carrying a pitchfork?  I suppose such imagery necessitates a scoff, even by the most emotionally driven among us.  Yet, is a belief in the paranormal or supernatural really that irrational?  If so, why is there such massive fascination with the darkness?  Why has R.L. Stine sold over 300 million books giving children worldwide Goosebumps?  Why has Stephen King sold over 350 million books giving their parents fears and frights?  Why do movies like The Exorcist and The Sixth Sense continue to fascinate audiences?  Why do shows like The Walking Dead, that clearly go beyond the realm of science fiction and boldly enter the sphere of the paranormal, attract millions of viewers each week?  Perhaps mankind is returning to the reality that there are some things that are simply paranormal (outside of normal) or supernatural (beyond the natural).

If there is no dark supernatural force, what of the Oregon gunman who felt compelled to execute nine souls who boldly proclaimed their relationship to Jesus Christ?  What of the genocide being perpetrated upon the Christians of the Middle East by the villainous Isis?  What about the 6,000,000 million Jews slaughtered by the Third Reich?  What of the countless Muslim lives taken by the heretical Holy Roman Empire during the crusades?  Who is behind all of this?

Satan is a real person who leads a real army.  The Bible says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”[1]  He is out to destroy the beloved children of God.  However, there are many who will never see this man behind the curtain for they are willingly blinded to the spiritual world through persistent doubt.  The apostle Paul stated, “The god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

The Only Answer

So, what can you do?  LEARN!!!  Study and learn my dear friend.  See what the ancient and inspired texts have said regarding this primeval enemy.  Study the Scriptures to see who he is and what tactics he uses in his never ending quest for world dominance.  Listen to yesterday’s sermon entitled Prince of Darkness, plan now on coming this Sunday to Part-2 in the Paranormal sermon series to hear the sermon entitled Stop Living in the Shadows.  Come to Part-3 for our fascinating Questions & Answers service where you will have opportunity to get so many of your paranormal questions answered.

You were never intended to be an oblivious pawn in the grand war.  You were never supposed to be a defeated human who trembled in fear at the approach if the enemy.  You are not supposed to be defeated, deflated, and defamed!  God wants you to wake up to the reality of who you really are and the victory you really have through Jesus Christ our Lord!  It’s time you take your rightful place as the warrior you were always intended to be.

 

What questions do you have about the paranormal or supernatural?  Comment Below:

[1] I Peter 5:8