The devil is introduced to us first as being more crafty than any of the beasts of the field (Genesis 3:1). We are reminded in II Corinthians 11:14 that he transforms himself into an angel of light. It is however, because of his craftiness that we forget to look for him as an angel of light. Do we not tend to think the devil shows up when we are overcome with some kind of illicit desire? We think when he begins to influence us we begin to grow fangs, our eyes turn to fire, our muscles go all Hulk-like, and then we pursue our madness like a bull in a china shop. When we fear the devil’s influence on us, this is what we watch for, what we guard against. If we can, by grace keep our more base desires in check, well, we must be fighting the good fight.
The devil usually shows up, however, not with illicit desires but with a “better” plan than God’s plan. Adam and Eve did rightly want to mature, to become more like God. God’s plan to get there was to trust Him, to not eat of the tree. The devil explained they could get there faster if they would just eat. Adam and Eve didn’t begin slobbering and lusting. Instead they simply thought they knew better than God. They thought they could find a better strategy than His.
This pattern is even more clearly revealed at Caesarea Philippi. There, you will remember, Peter wisely confessed the glorious truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus praises Peter for that Spirit wrought insight, and then proceeded to talk about His future, and His deliverance to be put to death. Now while Jesus is explaining what must needs come to pass Peter did not run to his secret lab and chug down a pint of Dr. Jekyll’s special recipe. Instead, out of his love for Jesus, he sincerely, gingerly expressed his conviction that Jesus’ plan wasn’t the wisest course. And Jesus replies, “Get thee behind me Satan.”
Wow. Many a sermon has been built on how this reveals the critical importance of Jesus’ mission to atone for our sins. And rightly so. But I’m afraid too often we miss what this account tells us about our sins. When Jesus tells us what needs to happen, and we contradict Him, no matter how good our intentions, we become Satan, and a hindrance to the kingdom. In like manner when we sweetly, gently encourage the pastor to lay off preaching those sins that make visitors uncomfortable, we are being the devil. When we insist that the session be “reasonable,” “realistic” in dealing with the deep-pocketed man’s unbiblical divorce, because of all the good that can be done as long as he continues to tithe, we are being the devil. When we, with all due concern and compassion, pass along, in the guise of seeking prayer, our brother’s struggle, we are being the devil. When the Word of God commands anything, and we reply in all innocence, “Well, yes, but…” we are the devil.
Our calling, always and everywhere is to affirm our Amen to all that God has spoken. We don’t nuance it, shift it, redirect it, squelch it; we affirm it. We confess that His plan is not only better than ours, but the only plan. Or else we are being the devil, disguised as a well-meaning believer. Which is why when He calls all men everywhere to repent, we say, “Amen.”
Our calling, always and everywhere is to affirm our Amen to all that God has spoken. We don’t nuance it, shift it, redirect it, squelch it; we affirm it. We confess that His plan is not only better than ours, but the only plan. Or else we are being the devil, disguised as a well-meaning believer. Which is why when He calls all men everywhere to repent, we say, “Amen.”
And I say, “Amen and Amen!”