The Devil in Disguise

One of my fathers favorite phrases when I was a kid was, “Grace in Disguise.” Anytime my mother or one of us kids tripped over something or clumsy in some one he would say, “Well aren't you just Grace in disguise!” I am confident that when I was raising my children more than once I told them to, “Do as I say, Not as I do!” And you know,... that never seemed to work out very well for me. The saying, “your actions speak louder than your words is very true.” My children paid far more attention to what I was doing than to what I said, and they aren't the only people watching me. As Christians the whole world is watching our every move. They are just hoping that we will stumble so that they can say, well they’re no better than I am, and they are right! I am no better than they are. I am just forgiven!

Romans 3:23-24 NIV For all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.

We need to pay attention to the world around us so that we are not mislead. There are so many distractions around us that can lead us astray. Many of these distractions are not evil, they simply are not what what is best. As parents the Devil keeps us busy chasing our children and grand children to all their activities. We go to their band concerts, to their plays, to their ball games all in the guise of giving them love and support. While none of these things are evil, they don't have any eternal impact? They do nothing to bring glory to God or to accomplish the great commission, to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them to observe all the things that Jesus has taught us. The devil in disguise can even take the appearance of a teacher of God's Word. Jesus calls him a wolf in sheep's clothing. Matthew 7:15 tells us to beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are savage wolves.You should pay less attention to what people say and more attention to what they do. Climate change activists encourage us to lower our carbon footprint while flying to conferences in private jets. Progressive politicians warn that global warming will raise the level of oceans, yet live in homes next to the shore. Liberals claim there is a rape epidemic on college campuses, but still send their daughters to college. A wolf in sheep's clothing is someone who outwardly looks harmless and kind with good intentions but inwardly is full of hate, evil and deceit, this is the Devil in disguise! The Devil is a master of disguise and, he comes to conquer you, steal your joy, kill your spirit, and destroy your faith.

John 10:10 NIV The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The devil is out to steal, kill and destroy everything that belongs to you. But you were called to resist him and stand your ground. You were called to guard what belongs to you and reclaim whatever he has stolen. What has the devil stolen from you? Was it a relationship, your health, your finances, something physical? Do you want it back? God is ready for you to storm into the devil’s camp and reclaim what is rightfully yours. Dive into the word of God and remind yourself of what He has said about you, what He’s given you, and the promises God has made to you. It is impossible to spend time in the Word and not walk away encouraged in the Lord. Have faith, have patience and stay in the word and you will be able to see right throw the Devil's disguise!