A few months ago, a 33-year-old woman was arrested for drug and stalking charges.  In an attempt to evade imprisonment, she decided to pose as a county prosecutor to file false documents on the state electronic system to have the charges against her dropped.  Officials became suspicious and discovered that the documents were falsified, and learned what happened after further investigation.  In the end, the original charges were reinstated and additional charges were filed against her.

        “Words from Above” in the Bible tell us about an angel named Lucifer decided to rebel against God, and convinced one-third of the other angels in heaven to join him in his rebellion.  Ezekiel 28:17 tells us that he apparently became so impressed with his own beauty, intelligence, power, and position that he began to desire the honor and glory that belonged to God alone.  No argument is ever given in the Bible that Lucifer, now identified as Satan, is not guilty of sin against God.  However, if anyone were to ask Satan about his guilt, he would use every means to clear his name.

        We are told that Satan tries to prevent people from knowing the truth of the gospel, like the woman who filed the false court documents.  In his letter to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul said, “The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.”  The “god of this world” is none other than Satan himself.

        Like the woman who tried to clear her name in the court system, the apostle Paul tells us in II Corinthians 11:13 that false prophets and deceitful workers transform themselves into the apostles of Christ.  He goes on in the next verse to point out that “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light, which is the total opposite of his true identity. 

        Not only did Satan rebel against God, but he also launched a personal attack on God’s Son, Jesus.  Matthew 4 tells us that Satan attempted in three separate ways to convince Jesus to worship him.  First, he suggested that Jesus turn the stones on the ground into bread, knowing that Jesus had not eaten for forty days.  Then he dared him to jump off the temple and let God rescue Him, and finally to worship him in exchange for having all the kingdoms of the world.  Jesus in each case quoted the Scriptures to resist these temptations of the devil.  Jesus cleared Himself, and we can always be forgiven of our sins, but the devil will never be cleared of his evil ways.

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.