You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
Introduction
There is a very sad testimony in America today, and given the current events a recent Burma survey seems apparently true, according to this particular survey, “The majority of American Christians do not believe that Satan is a real being or that the Holy Spirit is a living entity.” Notice this survey is not speaking of Americans as whole but rather “American Christians.” Although Satan has managed to persuade many people that he does not exist, he very definitely is real.
And the reason we should realize and recognize this first and foremost is because Jesus said he was real, “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.”—John 12: 31 (NIV) I am cognizant of the fact that there are a few preachers who for some reason seem to refuse to preach on or against the whiles of the devil but I believe it is our Christian duty to expose him and his evil work.
In 1Peter 5:8 we read, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” How will the congregations all across America recognize his evil devices if they are not instructed in the Word of God? We have to warn the people of what exactly is going on—because they stand in confusion and in deep misunderstandings concerning the pertinent issues and debates we are dealing with in America today. Now, what I am about to say may be a bit controversial and maybe even alarming—but although God has His preachers, Satan has a few preachers too. Preachers who openly teach that the Gospel is not a condemning message, that God is a God of love and never of wrath, these men and women are more motivational speakers rather than are preachers of the Gospel. God is a God of love, but He is equally a God of wrath, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” –Romans 1: 18.
Satan uses the pulpit sometimes to manipulate and deceive the masses with his own preachers. For example in the New Testament, Satan used religious leaders like the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees to pore endlessly over biblical texts, just missing the point of Jesus Christ. They continuously came to conclusions that had a partial biblical foundation—their messages that was geared and maneuvered by Satan himself and was always expository; they just intentionally avoided anything concerning Jesus Christ. In fact, they utterly hated Him to point they even orchestrated His death by crucifixion. The spirit of these scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees is alive and well in America today.
1. Beware Of Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing
There is something called the “Prosperity Gospel” being preached today. Other names for it are “Name it and Claim it” or grab it and blab (emphasis mine), health and wealth, or “Word of Faith” which ever you prefer. It suggest that the Lord is somehow in on a deal by which believers have to first "claim" the promise before it can become effective. Do you "need" that new car? Just name it, and claim it! Do you "need" a lot of money? Do you "need" that winning lottery ticket? Do you have an object of affection and he or she doesn’t realize they you are meant for each other yet? Just call out his or her name, claim what will be and allow the love potion # 9 to start taking effect. This false doctrine infers that God is more a vending machine than He is the Creator of the universe.
It is a sad but extremely true fact that the twisting of God’s Word has become a very lucrative in our nation today. And is exactly why the Apostle Paul told young Timothy, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”—2 Timothy 4: 3 – 4 (ESV)
Here Paul is warning of the “great apostasy” to come, even while Paul was writing these words false teachings were already seeping into the Church. There are those today in America who are bent on wiping out that old time religion only to replace it with the “New World Order” they are doing this by mixing the truth with error. They are spiritual mathematicians so to speak because they specialize in adding to and taking away God’s Word.
In Deuteronomy 4:2 we read, “You shall not add to the Word which I command you, nor take anything from it” Why? It is because the entirety of God’s Word is truth thus adding or subtracting from His Word greatly damages the integrity of His Word thereby misleading millions and millions of precious souls of which the Lord loves dearly.
This practice started long, long ago in the Garden of Eden when Satan himself twisted the word of God with only three words, "hath God said"? And he has been using these three words on the children of God ever since.
2. Hath God Said?
American society has changed considerably in the last
several years. When our grandparents and great grandparents were alive, any accusation of immorality was
a deeply serious charge to make against another human being. The issues we deal with today many of which have reached the Supreme Court were not even issues of discussion a few years back. It was already understood that God’s Word said thus—if something was openly and obviously forbidden in God’s Word, it was essentially considered a non-issue not even open for discussion. However, today in America we have opted to allow nine elderly and somewhat elderly justices dressed in majestic black robes be the final decision of matters that are sometimes of a spiritual nature. I will remind you that they are known as the “Supreme Court of the United States” and not of heaven.
When the issue of same sex marriage reached the court, whispers of “Hath God Said?” came with it. In Texas, my home state, when discussions of the so-called “Abortion Pill” was presented at the state capital in Austin, these same three words were whispered, “Hath God Said?” Here is my point, the attack and lies of the devil always comes against
God's Word. The devil wants us to believe that we can disobey the Word of God without any consequences. But the devil is liar and a deceiver too! If you notice this is happening more and more in America today.
Many Christians were appalled to watch the devil seem to win another debate in America as the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of homosexuality the other day giving way to the entire nation accepting men marrying men; women marrying women. Look at 53 million murdered babies. See the more than 26,000 different groups calling themselves the one church that has the only direct path to God. Look at the pornography and violence aired for all to see. Look at the priest engaged in pedophilia, I submit that this is derived from those three words the devil said to Eve, “Hath God Said”. Out right challenging the Word of God has become the norm today. The devil will use anyone he can to help spread his evil work and lies, a co-worker, a neighbor, a relative, politicians, well-known celebrities, and even preachers in the pulpits. And he will manage to fool the very elect of God in the process.
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” –Matthew 24: 24 (NIV) This is why we have a few well-known preachers coming forward today in support of issues they should know is clearly against the Word of God and all due to Satan’s influence upon America.
For example, Satan hates marriage between a man and a woman because this God-ordained approach represents the relationship between Christ and His people. Therefore, Satan does whatever he can to promote every other arrangement between two people. As a result there is a rise of the false church in Christianity that no longer treats the Bible as its final authority.
There was a pastor who recently appeared on the Sean Hannity Show and openly proclaimed that Jesus Christ was “wrong” on the issue of homosexuality and gay marriage.
That’s right he actually said, “with respect to the issue of gay marriage no longer being a sin: “If Jesus were alive today, I think he would be more inclined to say: ‘you know, I didn’t know it all’…” this comment made by a so-called Christian pastor comes straight from the very bowels of hell, and has Satan’s stamp of approval all over it. Thus his disciples said, truly, "Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God" (John 16:30).
Satan in America today attacks the bedrock of the marriage institution established by God. And that’s not all—Satan loves to see unborn babies killed. Just the other day in my home state of Texas pro-life while supporters were singing “Amazing Grace” pro-abortion advocates simultaneously chanted, “hail Satan” in the rotunda of the Texas State Capitol believe or not. Here is a statement from a group of clergy included on the Planned Parenthood website, “We are religious leaders who value all human life. We accept that religions differ about when life begins. We are here to help.
We believe that human life is holy. That's why we believe in your right to choose to be a parent or not.” These preachers are wrong!!!
But God told Jeremiah one day, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you;” just like God knew Jeremiah before he was even formed in his mother’s womb—He knows each and every unborn extremely innocent child before the abortionist doctor picks up his or his sharp instrument to eliminate the child’s life not caring if intensed pain if inflicted upon the little baby. Why is this and even more ungodly things happening in America and the world today?
3. How To Resist The Devil
It is the influence of Satan clear and simple, previously known as Lucifer. “How you are fallen from heaven. O shining star, son of the morning! Who wanted to be like the most High God.” Lucifer was ‘the anointed cherub that covereth’ Ezek.: 28 - 14. God gave Lucifer his wisdom and beauty v12. Lucifer was beautifully adorned with sparkling precious stones v13. God gave him power and created him perfect v15. His beauty, wisdom and brightness caused him to become exceedingly proud v17. Lucifer’s heart came when he chose evil over good and stopped glorifying the One who created him, the One who is all good and holy. But there is bad news for him, “Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. Everyone there will stare at you and ask, 'Can this be the one who shook the earth and made the kingdoms of the world tremble?”
God tells us in the Bible that the devil deceives the whole world and is the ruler of this world. How can we avoid and escape his evil, satanic influences? Although Satan has his grip on America today we as the body of Christ have the ability to resist him. We can do so with the help of God, Satan, is indeed so clever and powerful that no human being can successfully resist his influence—without God's help. We should never allow ourselves to conform to the current or prevalent views of the world today. I don’t care what the world leaders say, I don’t care what your favorite talk show host or television network owner says, or the pastor of the largest church in America says, or the SCOTUS says, we should never allow our moral thoughts to vacillate as we witness many politicians and leaders to include an American president (of whom I voted for) are doing today. We need to earnestly submit to God from the heart, we need to begin taking His Word seriously—very, very, seriously and then we need to obey His instruction and commands from this time forward, God said, “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” –2 Chronicles 7: 14, America really does need healing today.
Conclusion
As I close, let me remind us that it is not “hath God said?” but it is “Thus sayeth the Lord” because “Thus saith the Lord," is another way of saying "This is what the Lord says." Regardless of those who advocate the separation of Church and State, still, this is what the Lord says about it. Regardless of the threats of taking it to the Supreme Court in order for them to give their so-called “final opinion” of the matter—this is what the Lord says.
The five I wills of Satan (or Lucifer) will never reach fruition, in fact, they have already failed and the devil is a defeated foe. Jesus Christ disarmed Satan and his demons at the cross. Although Satan is defeated he is still dangerous, he still manages to do his evil work all the while hiding his hand.
Paul said in Ephesians 2: 2, “…in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." And this expression "sons of disobedience," is just another description for all unbelievers” the unbelievers are prevalent in America today.
Agnosticism, atheism, deism, skepticism, freethought, secular humanism, ignosticism or general secularism to the delight of Satan is running rampant all over America today. In the White House, in our capitals, in our city halls, in our police departments, in our institutions of higher learning, in our streets, in our churches, and on our own doorsteps. It is our job as true Christians to expose the devil at each and every turn. Amen.
