I read recently that less than 10% of sermons preached in evangelical churches even mention hell, sin, salvation, or heaven. (See rotw.com). I’m saddened by this, but not surprised. Why am I not surprised? Because “evangelical” churches have moved away from what it means to be evangelical. There was a time when being an evangelical church meant a fellowship that emphasized the authority of Scripture and the personal need to be saved by faith alone in the finished work of Christ (2 Timothy 3:14-4:5).
Today, many churches are evangelical in name only. When ministers shy away from preaching about hell, sin, salvation or heaven, are they still evangelical? When churches no longer submit to the Holy Bible as the "final authority" in all matters of faith and conduct - including how we elect our public servants per Exodus 18:21, can they still call themselves evangelical? Many people have linked the evangelical church to a certain political party; but our Lord and Savior said plainly to seek first the kingdom of God, and that his kingdom is not of this world (Matthew 6:33; John 18:36).
When was the last time you heard a sermon about Satan? If ministers seldom mention hell, sin, salvation or heaven, you can bet Satan is another topic that’s given very little attention. And that’s tragic because Satan is the archenemy of the people of God. He has declared war against the church of Jesus Christ, and if we’re not cognizant of the ways and wiles of our enemy, we’ll waste our time fighting enemies that aren’t enemies at all. Per 1 Peter 5:8, the devil is our enemy and no matter what people say, do or react – people are not our true enemy. Don't get me wrong, people can become tools of the enemy, but if we wish to cut off the head of the snake, we must realize the real enemy of our souls is Satan. He is Public Enemy #1. He's the root cause of all the evil we see spreading throughout America.
In other words, the real enemy of our nation is not the person of a different race or gender or political persuasion or sexual orientation. But is this the conviction of most church folk today? I’m afraid not. Many evangelicals view the person across the political aisle not as an opponent but as a mortal enemy. So, while we’re buying more guns and ammo, and calling for war against China or the Democrats or the Republicans or the LGBTQ community or the illegals, our true enemy, the prince of darkness and deceiver of nations, is wreaking havoc across the land.
Earlier this week, a 21-yr old man shot and killed eight people at three different massage parlors in the Atlanta area. Six of the victims were Asian women. It’s been reported the murderer told police he is addicted to sex and pornography, and that he killed those people to remove the temptation of the parlors, which he saw as outlets for his sex addiction. He is/was a member of an evangelical church and claims to be a born-again, baptized Christian. But did this deceived man not hear in church that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”? (Ephesians 6:12). Was he not taught in church that “though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh”? (2 Corinthians 10:3). Did he not know that one of the earliest commandments from Jehovah is "You shall not murder"? (Exodus 20:13).
The tragic outcome of Christians being ignorant of Satan’s schemes is we’ll attack, and may even kill, our so-called enemies who aren’t enemies at all (John 16:2). People are not our true adversaries. Satan, the great deceiver, is the true enemy of America. His greatest deception is convincing humans there is no Satan! Ministers who rarely mention the devil from their pulpits are playing into his hands and doing a great disservice to the body of Christ.
The prince of darkness likes to operate in ... darkness. He tempts us to run after sin, and thus incur the wrath of God. This is where the Holy Bible comes into play, because it shines the light of the LORD on everything, including the deceiver of nations. The following is an excerpt from my book, The Spiritual Awakening of America: How God Uses Pain to Prepare Us for Revival. Click here to learn more.
“There’s a moment in the classic movie, Wizard of Oz, when Toto pulls back the curtain in the court, and Dorothy discovers that the so-called “Great Oz” isn’t a wizard at all, he’s just a showman. When the Oz fears he’s exposed, he franticly works his contraption and thunders, “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!” But it’s too late. By looking at the world through the lens of Scripture, the curtain to the spirit world is pulled back. Those who read and believe the Bible understand the truth about Satan.
In John 8:44, he is a murderer, and branded “a liar” and “the father of lies” by our Lord Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 2:11, he takes advantage of believers who are ignorant of his schemes. In Genesis 3:1-15, he is disguised as the serpent in the garden. In Isaiah 14:12-15, he is Lucifer, son of the morning, before his fall. In Ezekiel 28:12-19, he is the anointed cherub that covers, before his fall. In 1 Chronicles 21:1-8, he stood up against Israel and energized David to sin. In Job 1:7-2:7, he accused and afflicted Job, a man who was blameless and upright. In Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13, he is the brash tempter of our Lord Jesus. In Acts 10:38 and Matthew 12:22, he oppresses those under his power.
In Ephesians 2:2, he is the prince of the powers of the air. In Matthew 4:6, he perverts the Word of God. In Zechariah 3:1, he is Satan, the adversary who opposes Joshua the high priest. In John 13:2, 27, he caused Judas to betray Christ. In Mark 8:32, he spoke through Peter to hinder God’s plan of redemption. In Acts 5:3, he caused Ananias to lie. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, he is the god of this world who blinds the minds of unbelievers. In 1 Peter 5:8, he is our adversary, the devil who walks around seeking his next victim. In Ephesians 2:2, he is the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience. In John 8:44, he is the father of the unredeemed. In Ephesians 6:12, he heads a celestial hierarchy of principalities, powers, and spiritual forces of wickedness. In 2 Thessalonians 2:9, he works through the “son of destruction” with all power and signs and lying wonders. In John 12:31 and 14:30, Jesus calls him the prince of this/the world. In Luke 13:16, he bound a daughter of Abraham for eighteen years.
In Matthew 13:19, he snatches away the Word from the hearts of those who don’t understand. In Revelation 12:10, he is the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night. In Matthew 13:38-39, he is the enemy, the evil one who sows his children (weeds) among God’s children (wheat). In Revelation 20:1-3, he is called the dragon, the old serpent, the devil and Satan.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:18, he hinders the will of believers. In Revelation 12:9, he is the great dragon and the deceiver of the whole world. In Luke 22:31, the Lord Jesus said Satan asked for Simon, that he might sift him as wheat. In Revelation 2:9-10, he has a synagogue of legalists who oppress and imprison the faithful. In Acts 13:10, he fills Elymas the sorcerer with all deceit, making him the enemy of all righteousness. In Hebrews 2:14, he holds the power of death. And in 2 Corinthians 11:14, the deceiver Satan masquerades as an angel of light!
Now the good part! In Luke 10:18, Jesus said He saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven. In Ephesians 6:16, we can take up our shield of faith to quench all of his fiery darts. In 1 Peter 5:9, we can resist him by living steadfast in the faith. In Ephesians 6:11, we can put on the whole armor of God in order to stand against his wiles. In Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13, our Lord showed us how to wield the sword of the Spirit against his lies. In James 4:7, when we submit to God and resist the devil, he will flee from us. In Matthew 25:41, the Most High has prepared a terrible end for him and his team. In Revelation 20:10, he is the deceiver who will be thrown into the lake of fire. And in Romans 16:20, the God of Peace will soon crush him under our feet! Is there any wonder why Satan can’t stand the Bible?”
If the citizens of America are equipped with only human resources, how can we expect to be victorious when we're attacked by spiritual forces of wickedness? Since Scripture has so much to say about Satan, and since the Bible is our “final authority” in all matters of faith and conduct, and since the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1), why is the devil seldom mentioned in our Bible-believing, evangelical churches? Preachers, please teach your people about Satan!
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV).
Grace, Peace and Jahspeed!