When Satan Comes To Town

Written By

Christopher Mentzer

In the days of cowboy movies, the hero wore white and the villain wore black. White represented purity; good, clean and honest living while black was mean, evil, and dirty underhanded tactics. In the end, good always triumphed over bad. That’s not always the case in real life especially in the 21^st Century. The black and white situation is sometimes marred by shades of gray and there are even instances when the villain will wear white!

“14. And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.

15. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Cor. 11:14-15)

Suppose a preacher came to town promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How are we to know if he is a child of God or a minister of Satan? Jesus gave the answer in Matt. 7: 15-18, “15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16. By their fruits ye shall know them. Do `men' gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” By their fruits, tells us all that they do and preach.

Here are some signs to watch for:

1. Are they preaching the Gospel? (2 John 9)

2. Do they live they way they preach? (Js. 1:22)

3. Do they promote good works with faith? (Js. 2: 18, 26)

4. Do they encourage baptism for salvation? (1 Pet. 3: 21)

There are many more than this of course but sometimes one sign is enough to put you on guard for the truth (1 Pet. 3:15). The apostle John wrote, “10. If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into `your' house, and give him no greeting: 11. for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.”(2 John 10-11)

One particular organization, called The Promise Keepers, will be holding a rally at Bank One Ballpark this February. On the surface they seem to be a good group of people promoting brotherly love and universal fellowship. However their ideas are to accept everyone regardless of religious background known as Unity in Diversity. They say as long as you love Jesus, you will be accepted. To this the apostle Paul wrote, “10. Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and `that' there be no divisions among you; but `that' ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Cor.1: 10). If you’re accepted regardless of belief how can we be of the same mind?

This group is also the supporter of The Sinner’s Prayer, a simple request for Jesus to be their savior and then they are saved. What about what Peter said in Acts 2:38? “Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Three basic things to remember:

1. Seek the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11)

2. Know what the truth is (John 8:32)

3. Only Jesus has all authority (Matt. 28:18)

Study the bible to know who is for God and who is against him (Matt. 12:30, 2 Tim.2: 15).