The Bible tells us that Satan poses as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Ezekiel 28 tells the story of how he asserted his claim to be like God. He is the Impostor. And his motives are malicious through and through, as Jesus Himself pointed out:
“The devil . . . was a murderer from the beginning,
and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no
truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character,
for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
Satan’s native language is lying. He speaks through different mouthpieces, sometimes using evil rulers, false religions, social media, Netflix, popular songs, or even friends to deceive us. But all lies originate with him.
Why does he lie to us? John 10:10, which refers to Satan as the thief, suggests that his ultimate goal is our destruction. The ultimate fruit of his lies is death. We begin to experience the results of this “death” before our hearts stop beating. Look at God’s words to the first man:
“Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it
you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)
What did God mean when He said they would die on the day they ate of the forbidden fruit? Eve clearly didn’t die physically the day she first sinned. However, the moment she took a bite of that fruit, she did die spiritually—she was separated from God, who is Life.
The Tree of Life was now off-limits, and she was banished from paradise. She would now be a slave to her own sinful, selfish desires and choices. She would bear the consequences of living in a fallen, broken world, rather than enjoying the eternal pleasure of life in Paradise. She and her husband would have to endure pain and hardship as they fulfilled their basic responsibilities related to family and work. With each passing year this hardship would take its toll on their bodies, and they would eventually experience physical death.
What a vivid picture this is for us.
The moment we believe and act on a lie, as Eve did, we begin to experience consequences. We become increasingly enslaved to false, destructive ways of thinking and living. This may show up with symptoms like on-going depression, unreasonable stress, or an overwhelming sense that you don’t have any friends. Satan’s ultimate goal is our destruction and death. Not just physical death some day in the future. He’d like to make you a part of his walking dead on this earth, not free to enjoy God and life as He created you to live it. You see, zombies are more than the bad guys in scary movies or on Netflix. Walking around enslaved to fear and death is a very real lifestyle for many.
There is good news. Jesus came to give you life, and He wants you to have it to the full. Let us help you experience joy, contentment, passion, energy, and life the way God designed.
