“And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” ~ II Corinthians 11:14
REFERENCE:
We conclude our study on the three ways satan tempts Christians today. We have seen him as both a subtle serpent and a devouring lion, now, we will be looking at him as an angel of light.
From our text, this strategy of the devil is close to his being a serpent, in the sense that it is built around subtlety and deception. The marked difference between them is that this strategy puts on a spiritual garb; it does not portray the devil as a snake, but as an angel of God clothed in radiant light. This strategy is targeted at those who are turned on by spirituality; those who, if anyone or anything comes in the name of the Lord, carries a bible or has a Christian name, would be quick to open their ‘doors’ to them. Satan comes dressed like God’s messenger to deceive us with false views of spiritual things; he ‘tweaks’ biblical truths and presents us with a new brand of Christianity, and he leads us into twisted opinions and beliefs about God’s grace and leading.
People have said an angel appeared to them and told them to divorce their spouses; some others have done bizarre things because they believe they heard the Holy Spirit tell them to. Satan has appeared to people in dreams, ‘clothed with light,’ and told them another man’s wife was their wife. In 2004, a 39-year-old lady, Deanna Laney (Texas, USA), crushed the head of her 15-month-old son with a rock, permanently maiming him, and later led her 2 older sons (ages 8&6) outside and did the same to them, killing both boys. Laney said God told her the world was going to end and that “she had to get her house in order,” which included killing her children. It is so true what Matthew Henry said, “Satan is most to be dreaded when transformed into an angel of light.”
I Kings 13 tells the sad story of a young prophet instructed by God to carry out an assignment and not to eat in the city nor take the same route on his return. An older prophet came to him and gave a contrary instruction; “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’ (He was lying to him.)” (I Kings 13:18). Take note: he is a prophet, he is experienced, he said an angel spoke to him, but he lied. The same is happening today; because satan transforms himself into an angel of light and mounts pulpits, prophesies, preaches and performs miracles – all in the name of religion – many people are deceived and led into error. John Trapp said, “A wicked priest is the worst creature upon the earth. Who are devils, but they which were once angels of light?” Satan was once Lucifer, an angel, so he can take that shape, he can speak the church language, quote scriptures and justify it all with a sense of super-spirituality.
You must therefore put all ‘spirits’ or spiritual manifestations to test. The way to do this is to match their practices with the word of God. Secondly, check their lifestyle or their fruits. Thirdly, stay with what God has said in his word and not be quick to drop it for any ‘new revelation.’ Lastly, run such voices, manifestations or revelations with other believers in your fellowship, or with your spiritual leader. It is not every voice that speaks for God; it is not every dream that is from God; and it is not every prophecy that is inspired by the Holy Spirit. “If they do not speak according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them,” (Isaiah 8:20). May you never be a victim of any of satan’s deception, subtlety, aggression or delusion, in Jesus’ name.
PHOTO QUOTE:
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
I Kings 13:11-24, Matthew 4:5-7 & I John 4:1-3
PRAYERS:
+ Lord, train my ears to hear only Your voice and to discern, discover and drop every voice that is not Yours.
+ I bind every manifestation of satanic deception around me. I refuse all satanic manipulations in my life, in Jesus’ name.
+ I draw a protection line around myself and my family with the blood of Jesus.
Oh Lord, let us have and walk in an excellent spirit in the name of Jesus , Amen.
Oh Lord, grant me the gift of discernment that I may obtain direction & guidance for life in Jesus’ name, Amen.
I am yours Lord, I hear your voice, I know your voice, I obey your voice because I give myself to your Word! The voice of the stranger is barbaric to me and all of mine in Jesus’ name 🙏🏽
Oh Lord because we are yours, your love will continue to protect us and guide us from every form of manipulation that is targeted to deviate us from the true light which is You. Amen
Lord, increase my knowledge of Your word, so I can easily know which voice is Yours and which isn’t. This I pray in Jesus name.
Lord give me a discerning heart , help me to know your voice and not fall into the trap of Satan, In Jesus Name
Amen.
This is the strategy the devil uses to deceive many elects. Ours is different in Jesus’ name.
“Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above”
Hmmm! Seal our hearts for Your courts above.
Amen! Lord help me to know your word more and more and to test every voice by it In Jesus name. So many voices that ‘seem’ correct, but God’s Word is Truth.