Learning from the Devil

Christians would do well to pay attention to the Devil. I don’t mean to listen and follow his lead, but observe how ‘ol Beelzebub goes about his work. If we Christians aspired to some of the same attributes we might have more of an effect on the world.

---

I know what you’re thinking-- I’m nuts. Well, in a sense maybe I am. But let me list a few of Satan’s qualities and see if you can keep pace with Old Scratch.

He’s persistent. After Jesus had been baptized and fasted in the desert, Satan tempted him not once but three times. How many people have you witnessed to once? Twice? Three times? Each time Satan tempted Jesus, he quoted scripture. How often do you quote the word of God? Satan asked Jesus that he be allowed to sift Peter like wheat. We don’t demand anything of God but how many of us “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need?” Heb 4:16 Even though the Devil knows the final outcome he never gives up. When faced with seemingly insurmountable odds do you fold like a lawn chair?

If the Enemy is this thorough in his attacks and his attempts to spoil the very plans of God don’t you think it might be good for Christians to be as persistent, as knowledgeable of God’s word, as confident for God’s grace, and never give up? The Bible tells us that ‘greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world’. Do you believe it? The Bible says that ‘I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me’. All things-- are you convinced? Then start living like it. Just be sure to avoid some of the less desirable attributes of Satan. I remember a story my dad used to tell about the time he was playing poker with the Devil. The two had been trading winning hands most of the night but finally the pot grew pretty big and Dad was just about out of chips. Satan suggested that Dad go all in. “Go ahead”, he said, “bet it all.” But my old man couldn’t match the raise and so Satan suggested that Dad bet his soul on the hand. “Your soul should cover any shortage of chips”, said the demon with a wry smile. Dad thought about it for a moment and said, “There is nothing more valuable in this life or in eternity than a man’s soul. So if I go all in and raise you my soul, what could you possibly bet in order to call me?” Lucifer stared at Dad, then at the pot, then at his cards. Then without saying a word, he folded.