S162P5 – Wicked tactics: dark is light
2 Cor. 11:12-15
[W]hat I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
When we think of satanism and those who openly profess to worship the devil, we might picture some pretty deplorable scenes. Perhaps we envision dark places lit by candles with people dressed in cloaks reciting from books written in tongues we do not understand. The picture likely looks very different than what we experience when we worship the Lord. The church dedicated to God probably does not look like the temple dedicated to the devil. We expect those who attend the services at one to look very different than those who attend services at the other. This makes sense to us because darkness looks so different than light, and that is why our enemy masquerades as an angel of light.
The devil will lure with darkness those who are seeking darkness. He also will lure with demented light those who are seeking light. One example that comes to mind are the Unitarian Universalist churches. This organization exists under the guise of unity and acceptance. Those who study this doctrine will study bits and pieces of this religion and that religion all mixed together as if they are the best bits. It seems to be a peaceful blend of everyone so that we all can get along and share our faith without division and animosity. The real picture, however, is not rosy at all. This is nothing more than mixing some tenets of Christianity with teachings from false religions dedicated to false gods. These churches might teach some of Christ’s teachings, but they are nothing but dens of darkness.
The devil will be successful to deceive some with a twisted version of the truth because they do not know the truth. He will deceive some with this demented light because they do not know the true light. He will present to many lust and self-interest as love, and they will believe in it because they do not know the love of God. Tolerance sounds like a good thing until we realize that he is trying to get us to tolerate wickedness, sin and idol worship. Only those who know the truth will see these charades for what they are, and that is why we must make the word a priority. Father, give us the discipline to study your truth and hold it in our hearts so that we can spot the angels who carry no true light.