GIVE THE DEVIL HIS DUE

The devil has the power to assume a pleasing shape.
-- William Shakespeare


I think if you ask most folks if they believe in God, the majority would say they did.

Whether they go to church, live by the ten commandments, read the bible, or pray might get different responses, but I suspect when it comes to the basic question, "Do you believe in God?" most people would give an affirmative answer.

Moreover, I don't think a response of, "Yes, I do believe in God", would raise any eyebrows in most circles.

If you walked into your workplace tomorrow and said, "It's a glorious day! I feel truly blessed. God's hand is on me" would anyone react with any thing more than a smile, a nod or perhaps even a more fervent affirmation?

He may make us uncomfortable at times, but most everyone is seemingly comfortable with at least the concept of God.

What if you walked into your workplace and said, "I am loaded down today. I feel burdened. I believe the heavy stench of satan is in the air. I can feel his rancid influence around me."

What would the response from your coworkers be then?

I know it would get a different reaction in my office. I suspect there might be a few whispers in the hallway.

Before you start whispering, let me admit I've been thinking about this lately.

I know many a devout Christian who rightly credit God with every blessing in their lives. Count me among them. Yet, there is a certain reticence among many of these same folks to label the misfortunes and sufferings in their lives as the work of satan.

It seems to me that a lot of believers are ashamed to admit they believe...in the devil.

Maybe it's because we've read so many newspaper stories of people who have committed heinous, unthinkable acts and then claimed that satan ordered them to do those things.

Perhaps we don't want people to lump us in with those insane folks.

Maybe it's because we have this image of satan as flashy and flamboyant...the great satan...and our burdens and miseries seem small and unworthy of his meddling.

Maybe it's because we are a society that rewards those who accept responsibility and we feel uncomfortable placing blame...even on the devil.

Maybe it's because we believe if our faith is only strong enough satan will be powerless against us.

Maybe.

I must admit though, lately I have wondered if maybe it's because satan wants us to think those things.


The devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still.
-- A. W. Tozer