Satan loves to mess us up, confuse our thoughts, and get us thinking wrong is right and right is wrong. This is the business he’s in, and he’s making a killing—literally.
See how Dietrich Bonhoeffer describes it:
The great masquerade of evil has played havoc with all our ethical concepts. For evil to appear disguised as light, charity, historical necessity, or social justice is quite bewildering to anyone brought up on our traditional ethical concepts, while for the Christian who bases his life on the Bible it merely confirms the fundamental wickedness of evil.
Eric Metaxas, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
We must see through it all, as believers in Christ, and there’s only one way—know the Word. It is this Word that gives us the same warning. Paul wrote about it to the believers in Corinth:
For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NIV
Remember that all the counterattacks of Jesus to Satan’s temptations came from Scripture. We have the same defensive weapon in our spiritual artillery, but we must use it.
What good does it do to have a Bible if it sits on our shelf and gathers dust? Of course, Satan wants you to keep it there because he already knows its power. He just doesn’t want you to.
The trick of Satan is to keep us from questioning the world’s agenda, to keep us from weighing it against the Word of God. We cannot give him satisfaction.
As you know, I love to read, and, as much as I don’t enjoy it, I sometimes read the latest nonfiction bestseller to get a glimpse of the enemy’s tactics. What perhaps Satan doesn’t like, however, is that I also write reviews, and after reading a recent “popular” work, I use my review to weigh the premise against God’s Word. I pray God will use my efforts to help others see through the mask of cultural concepts.
Where are you seeing the masquerade of evil played out in your surroundings? Ask God how he wants to use you to unmask the wrong and speak truth to the right. But, be prepared—this is not a simple dance, but a battle, so prepare to be wounded in the process.
Grace and Peace