"The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas, the sorcerer, interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing." Acts 13:7-8 Satan is not only an opportunist (cf. … Continue reading When the Devil Interferes
satan
Mind Games
As believers, our battle with the enemy begins in our mind. Temptations, doubts, fear, etc., all begin in the mind. One author wisely wrote, “Our feet, hands and bodies follow where the mind leads us. It is in our minds that we remember, we understand, we make decisions and we evaluate truth from fiction... [So … Continue reading Mind Games
The Devil’s Delusion
I’m bouncing back & forth between Stephen Myer’s ‘Return of the God Hypothesis’ and David Berlinski’s ‘The Devil’s Delusion.’ Myer is a professed Christian. Berlinski is a professed atheist. I love both of these scholars because they are not merely erudite, but unafraid to have civil discourse with someone possessing an opposing worldview. Berlinski’s purpose … Continue reading The Devil’s Delusion
With Friends Like You, Who Needs Enemies?
"What miserable comforters you are!" We'll get back to the above quote in a minute. The Old Testament character, Job, (rhymes with robe) was the subject of what one author describes as a 'cosmic wager' between God and Satan. Job, whom God himself had described as "blameless, a man of integrity", was offered to Satan … Continue reading With Friends Like You, Who Needs Enemies?
Satan’s Relentless Pursuit to Take Us Out
I had been in full-time, vocational ministry for just over 30 years when, for the first time in my life, I gained new insight into the depth of the evil Satan possesses. After my son, Jordan, took his life I was crippled in every way, en route to being hospitalized for suicidal thoughts myself. As … Continue reading Satan’s Relentless Pursuit to Take Us Out
The Supernatural World
On the book of Job, chapters 1-2... From award-winning author, Philip Yancey's, book, The Bible Jesus Read: “Nowhere else in the Bible are we more clearly informed of a realm beyond our own - one we cannot see but, nonetheless, exists. “Like Job, we live in ignorance of what is going on ‘behind the curtains.’ … Continue reading The Supernatural World
For Those Who Laugh at the Thought of a Real Devil
The Bible is crystal clear: Satan exists. He is introduced to us in Genesis 3. And, Jesus refers to him repeatedly in the gospels. Yet, many people - including believers - forget about his relentless pursuit to make us lose our faith or, better yet, prevent us from coming to faith in Christ altogether. (For … Continue reading For Those Who Laugh at the Thought of a Real Devil
The Exorcists – A Word about Demonic Possession
I remember the first time I saw young Linda Blair’s head spin around in the 1973 monster-hit (pun intended), The Exorcist. It scared the you-know-what out of me. I’ve professed my faith in Christ since then. And that, according to the Bible, changes everything. Powerfully. The Daily Beast recently published a story on the Vatican's … Continue reading The Exorcists – A Word about Demonic Possession
Would You Recognize the Devil if You Saw Him?
Some time back, I was reading part of a work by 16th century theologian, Ignatius of Loyola. The quote below gave me pause and prompted the question: Would you recognize the devil is you saw him? I believe many Christians do not. “The enemy…makes a tour of inspection of our virtues…Where he finds us *weakest … Continue reading Would You Recognize the Devil if You Saw Him?
“Then Satan stood against Israel…”
The above phrase is from 1 Chronicles 21:1. We have an enemy - his name is Satan. He'd like for you to forget that. Why? Because you can't fight an enemy you don't know exists. But our enemy he most certainly is. Jesus cryptically told Simon Peter and the rest of his twelve disciples, "...Satan … Continue reading “Then Satan stood against Israel…”