I believe in the devil! Many people don’t. They think that belief in a personal devil is a part of mankind’s nursery furniture. They put him in the same category as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. They relegate him to the superstition and ignorance of the Middle Ages.
Granted, the truth about Satan has been greatly distorted by the false notions of the past, but that does not nullify his reality.
The Bible declares his existence, his intentions, as well as his methods. It tells us he is a spiritual being who is the enemy of God, his people, and all that is good. Jesus once said to Simon, “Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31). With that he declared Satan’s intentions. The purpose of sifting is to separate. The method of sifting is to shake. Thus Jesus declared that it was Satan’s desire to shake us loose from our faith.
How does Satan shake us today?
1. Satan shakes us by doubts. He tries to discredit God’s word in our minds and to get us to doubt it. God’s word is our moral and spiritual compass. If he can lead us to question its accuracy, then we can be easily led into sin.
2. Satan shakes us by disappointments. When the Lord or his people do not measure up to our expectations, it disappoints us. Disappointments can lead us to turn away from the Lord and our faith.
3. Satan shakes us by desires. James says that a man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts (James 1:14). Temptation and sin do not always appear terrible, undesirable, and evil. My problem is not with things that disgust me. If Satan can use us to follow our desires rather than God’s word, he can get us into sin.
4. Satan shakes us by deceit. He is the father of all lies. He is never limited to the truth. If he can deceive us into evil, he will do it.
Whether he comes to you through doubt, disappointments, desires, or deceits, his purpose is the same—to separate you from fellowship with Christ. You must recognize his existence and resist him and he’ll flee from you.