How much power does Satan have in this present world? In the scripture, he is called the prince of darkness, the great deceiver, the son of perdition, the beast, and that old serpent. The same beguiling spirit that deceived Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. He convinced them that God didn’t really mean what he told them about disobedience. That fallen prince of darkness still works his deception in the world today, telling the inhabitants that surely God won’t destroy you for your sins.
Satan has no power except the power which God the Father allotted him. He is sent as a curse upon the earth for the disobedience of the multitudes. Evil is on every hand as we complete our journey to our eternal home, but we need not yield to the temptations and lusts of the flesh, because we have the solid rock anchor for our soul, Jesus Christ our savior and his gospel.
There are many at this present time who preach another gospel different than the straight and narrow teaching of Jesus Christ and his apostles. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:13) Putting on the outward appearance but inwardly they are full of deceit and corruption. “False prophets in sheep’s clothing.” Let us not forget what Paul said to us, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8)
We are forewarned that Satan, through his false apostles and deceitful workers, has the power to appear as an angel of light, or a holy spirit. As Paul wrote, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) His ministers, the ministers of Satan, seem to be preaching righteousness according to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and those who are deceived by them don’t know the difference because they can’t see beyond the outward appearance.
Where are these ministers who preach another Jesus by preaching another doctrine? They are scattered throughout the many religious denominations around the world. Jesus said, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:8-9) This is how the ministers of Satan do their deceiving work. They preach the doctrine of their preferred denomination and shut out any preacher who could shed light on the error of their teaching. They have unwittingly made themselves willing workers of Satan, “whose end shall be according to their works.“
Satan has power to do great wonders and miracles, “so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” (Revelation 13:13)
There is natural fire and there is spiritual fire. There is an earthly understanding and there is a spiritual understanding. The apostle Paul plainly tells us that these things of the spirit cannot be seen or understood by earthly understanding, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
So then, spiritual understanding must be applied to this description of the power of Satan. Natural fire is a consuming thing; it can devour the flesh of man. Spiritual fire is consuming thing; it can devour the soul of man.
False preachers carry a Bible, they read and quote from it, but instead of preaching the word according to the Spirit of truth, they preach it according to the traditions and religious opinions of men. When used in this manner, the word of God becomes a consuming fire that destroys the souls of men and women instead of healing them. “For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29)
Jeremiah, God’s prophet, spoke of preachers who use the word of God in a deceitful manner. “Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.” (Verse 5:14) Not only does it devour false preachers, but it also devours the people who follow them.
This is the fire that Satan pulls down from heaven, the word of God in the mouth of his ministers who appear to be ministers of righteousness. Spiritual fire even more deadly than natural fire because use of God’s word in this manner is blasphemy, and it lights the fire of hell in all that partake of it.
The gospel presented by the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of truth, will bring peace and comfort and joy. But it can only come when we humble ourselves and let the truth of Jesus Christ, our Lord, guide us.
Most people today seem to think that Satan is lurking in the dark shadows somewhere in the dope dens and the pleasure houses of the world, devouring those that don’t “go to church.” But, my friend, you can be sure that Satan is in plain view in many congregations across this country. He wears a cloak of religion, appearing to be an angel of light, but the inner man of spirit is the same deceiver that brought sin into the world, beginning in the garden of Eden.
He has a stronghold in religion that will be revealed to you only by the light of the truth. Light is in the world, but most reject it, preferring instead to remain in spiritual darkness, and despising those who try to lead them out. The power of Satan does many things in many congregations that people are convinced had to come from God. The great imposter, appearing to be an angel of light.
