When I was growing up in Southern California, there was a firework stand that popped up every June called “Red Devil Fireworks.” Their mascot was a little cartoonish red devil with a pitchfork. Some cartoons depicted the devil in the same way. He was a little red devil that sat on your shoulder trying to influence you to do bad things. I wasn’t saved, so I didn’t believe in the devil and didn’t care about how he was portrayed.
Fast forward to today. I care a lot about how the reality of the devil and how he wrecks and devastates lives every day. I have dedicated my life to seeing as many saved and rescued from the devil as possible!
John 10:10 (NKJV) “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
The devil started as an angel, worshipping God. Through his arrogance and pride, he rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven forever. One-third of the angelic realm joined his rebellion (Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28, Revelation 12).
He is at war with God. He is at war with you because you are God’s prized creation, the apple of God’s eye. Consumed with envy and pride, the devil knows he has a short time before his final judgment and has pulled out all the stops to destroy you.
Revelation 12:12 (NKJV) “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
The devil is a liar. He is a deceiver. He questions the Word of God constantly. He accuses you and me of sin regularly. While he has no power over you, neither can he indwell and possess a believer; he has the incredible power of influence and deception. Far from being the little red devil, obvious and predictable, he is almost always deceptive and unnoticed.
2 Corinthians 11:12–15 (NKJV) “But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
Stay alert, friend. Stay in the Word and prayer. Abide in Christ. He is your protection.
1 Peter 5:8–11 (NKJV) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. He has to!
James 4:7 (NKJV) “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
