The Devil’s Deception Versus G-d’s Reality

Ah...the devil. He definitely knows how to keep us on our toes doesn’t he? He’s portrayed in so many ways. From this horrific evil figure to the cute little chubby cartoon looking figure with a pointed tail, little horns, and a red pitch fork. Much like G-d, he is a profound figure in the lives of all people. Some choose to fear him, some choose to worship him, and some choose to pretend he doesn’t exist. Whatever the opinion, it doesn’t change anything about who and what he is. A liar, a pretender, a tempter, the source of all that is negative, the one that strives to undo all that is of G-d...the list goes on! His presence is apparent all around us and it’s scary to see how many people don’t even see it. As life has gone on over the years, humans have become more and more desensitized to his work and his presence, more and more stuff seems to become “acceptable”. When you really get down to it, humans are the devils greatest weapon and greatest fear. Confusing? Let me explain...

As I have said in the past, upon our creation, G-d blessed us with the gift of free will. It’s essential to true faith. If we were forced to listen or forced to follow, where’s the faith in that? In all his hatred toward anything that G-d created, the devil wasted no time in testing the faith of these new creatures of G-d’s. And oh how we failed miserably. Thus enters original sin and everything that comes with it into the world as we know it. At that point selfishness, violence, anger, pain, sadness, hate, lust, and so much more comes into our lives. These are some of his favorite tools. I suppose you could go so far as to say humans are their own worst enemy. Or are we? There’s the other part of us that is always there; the part that G-d created us with; the part that is driven to follow Him. The part of us where you find love, compassion, obedience, happiness, and so forth. This is where we become the devil’s greatest fear. These characteristics are what help spread the love of G-d. These bring to light His very existence! They say the devil’s greatest trick is convincing people that he doesn’t even exist...if a person refuses believe the devil exists, they most likely refuse to believe in G-d’s existence as well. Not that this will save them from their inevitable judgment.

In all this confusion, there is an absolute truth; we have the right to choose! We can choose to go along with his lies and live a life that would make him smile; or we can choose to listen to G-d and His ways and stand alongside the Creator and against the deceiver.

There’s a saying that I have come across all over the place. “I want to be the type of woman that when my feet hit the floor, the devil says “Oh c**p...she’s up.” I love it! We all need to strive to be that person! Whether people want to see this or not, we are at war! All the situations around us, big or small, are result of the ultimate war going on between good and evil; a war that is leading up to the inevitable end days. There is no gray area in this war; you are either with G-d or you aren’t. It’s that simple! The choice is made in your everyday living. The choice is made every time you wake up, every time you walk out the door, every time you deal with your job or your kids. Actions speak louder than words... and what’s more, G-d sees straight into your heart. You may be fooling all the people around you...but not Him.

As for me, I choose to fight. I choose to follow. This isn’t always the easiest way to go...in fact it’s probably the more difficult of the two. Sin can be so tangible because the devil does a great job in making some bad things look so good. And due to our imperfection, we will stumble and fall at times. I myself make mistakes all the time. At one point in my life, I tripped and fell and refused to get back up for several years. G-d is ever faithful though, and ready to forgive and get us back on track should we choose to let him. Sometimes when these "lapses" happen, I have seem so many people try and point fingers at others or even at G-d...do they really think that is going to distract Him from thier flaws? I hate to burst their bubble, but it didn’t work for me and it won’t work for them either. It’s not about what other people have done, it’s about what you do...self accountability. Because when it’s your turn to stand before G-d, He’s not going to ask you why "whoever" did and didn’t do something...He’s going to ask why YOU did or didn’t do something. And instead of trying to figure out how to talk your way out of it (that won’t work either) you need to repent, live the life, and fight the fight. The moment you do that, you will strike fear into the devil and all of his demons. You will find a power that can help you stand strong and tall, a power that can spread to others that are watching. And as always, it’s not just about the big things done in G-d’s name...it’s the little things too. Simple everyday things can allow the love of G–d to radiate right through you and it’s impossible to not notice.

The lines have been drawn and the battle is on, how will you choose to fight?

G-d Bless!

K