Most of the children who come trick-or-treating at our doors tonight will be dressed as princesses and super heroes. According to statistics, these are the most popular costumes.
So even though Halloween is sometimes called Satan’s holiday, that bright red, fork-tailed, pointy-eared devil costume will not be a prevalent sight.
Wouldn’t it be nice, though, if the devil really did wear a bright red suit on his rounds. We might find it easier to spot him and put up our guard. In actuality, he’s quite the wily fellow.
For Eve, he took the form of a serpent (Genesis 3:4). An interesting choice. Serpents are noxious creatures that creep stealthily, hiss menacingly, and inject poison into their victims. Need we say more about the similarities between Satan and serpents?
He’s called the evil one in Matthew 13:19. Look up evil in the dictionary and his character is clearly described: morally reprehensible, wicked, offensive, causing harm, bringing sorrow, distress and calamity.
Satan is our enemy (1 Peter 5:8). He seeks to injure, overthrow, and confound us. He is a harmful and deadly opponent, hostile, and filled with ill will.
In the same verse above, Peter says, “The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” The Living Application Bible reminds us lions attack sick, young, and straggling animals, and Satan does the same. When we are suffering, depressed, or being persecuted, that’s when he loves to move in for the kill. And he often chooses a time when we’re alone and more easily swayed.
The devil is our accuser (Revelation 12:10). First, he lies to us, trying to convince us that whatever he’s suggesting will make us happy. Then he turns around and uses our sins to accuse us of disobedience and unfaithfulness before God! In fact, Satan in Hebrew means accuser.
You’d think that all these abhorrent traits would repel us from the devil and his cohorts. But his opposition against us isn’t always obvious. 1) We cannot see the spiritual forces of evil, and 2) Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
But! In spite of his power (although limited) and sophisticated trickery, the devil has already been defeated.
I love what author and Bible teacher, Ann White, said years ago:
“The devil may prowl around like a lion, but Christ removed his teeth at Calvary!”
Jesus is much greater than Satan (Hebrews 2:14-15). And Jesus is within us (1 John 4:4), empowering us to fight against him.
In fact, Jesus showed us how to fight him off. Remember the strong temptations he withstood in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)? Jesus used scripture to refute the devil’s lies and twists of truth.
We can do the same, starting with one of Jesus’ responses in the passage above:
“Away from me, Satan! It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” (v. 10).
And now that we know a bit more about our opponent, such resistance can be even more successful.
We can be ready–red suit or not.
(photo credit: www.buckshappeningmag.com )
From the Inside Out 
This is really good, Nancy.
It’s powerful to see several verses (about our opponent) linked together like this.
Thank you, Bill. The exercise of studying these scriptures was eye-opening to me, that’s for sure!
Great post! Sharing on my Facebook page Thoughts From The Porch….
Thank you, April. I’m delighted you found the post worth sharing!
Reblogged this on A DEVOTED LIFE.
Thank you, JD. It’s an honor to be reblogged!
Terrific post Nancy! It is good to be reminded that there is a battle going on and we need to keep up our guard against the devil and his evil lies. And Yes! We have the victory! Thanks!
Thank you very much. You are right: Praise God we have the victory
good reminder. He is such a lier too. I often forget that at first but when I realize that and turn to God, off he goes. Amazing how he learns to find our weak spots and waits until we are tired or hunger or hurt, then attacks.
Oh, yes, Satan is full of tricks! While reviewing his strategies, in prep for this post, I became incensed at myself for allowing his underhandedness to get the better of me sometimes. Turning to God, reciting scripture, filling my mind with praise–those are the strategies I want to use against HIM!
Wonderful post, Nancy!
Thank you, Rebeca. I’m so glad you found it meaningful.
Loved Ann White’s quote “The devil may prowl around like a lion, but Christ removed his teeth at Calvary!” I am so thankful that “greater is He (Jesus) who is in me…than he who is in the world (the devil)”. Satan may think he has the upper hand as we witness the willingness of our country’s leaders to wipe out, eradicate, and obliterate anything referring to Christ… But this will linger only for a season…only until Christ returns to claim his own and the devil gets his due.
Absolutely, Cheri. Some leaders are probably unaware that efforts to eradicate Christianity will never succeed! Praise God–HE is in control and His Word will never pass away (Matt. 24:35)!
As always, a great blog.
Thank you, Laura, for being such a faithful reader!