Fighting Evil

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”  (1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV)

Contrary to what some would like to believe clinical research confirms that the devil exists. According to the writings of M. Scott Peck, MD and Malachi Martin, both of whom have had extensive exorcism experience, the following characteristics identify Satan and his evil ones:

1. The devil hates God and despises all things good.

2. The devil seeks to kill---to murder--- life, love, laughter, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, zest, healing, and human caring. 

3. Because Satan is spirit there exist no identifying marks---no horns, no pitchfork, no hooves. Seductive Satan slinks silently upon us.

4. On occasion evil human beings may appear ordinary to the superficial observer. Consider neighbor reports of mass murderers.

5. The master of deceit and the purveyor of persuasion can use flattery, intellectual argument, allure, huckstering, fear, desire, loneliness, guilt, and despair to manipulate the unaware.

6. Satan can use human sin or weakness or character flaws to manifest its evil intentions.

7. The devil-possessed or the evil person often engenders revulsion in the healthy and the virtuous. We want to flee or get out of the room as quickly as possible and well we should. We can assume that this flight response comes from God’s protective force.

8. An encounter with the devil or the evil person produces confusion. Our thoughts become jumbled. Clear thinking dissipates as the prince of lies weaves a web of deception.

9. Evil people have a powerful unwillingness to accept their sins and imperfections. They desperately attempt to hide their malevolence from themselves and intensely desire to appear good to others. Their dead-eyed smiles, their unctuous, smarmy manner, their whitewash rationalizations may unmask their pretense to the careful observer.

10.               The overweening pride of the devil and evil people reflects a complete and total refusal to submit to anyone beyond their will.

Here are some suggestions for avoiding the devil and its minions:

1. Be aware of the devil’s day-by-day enticements.

2. Resist the devil and it will flee from us: “Satan in the name of Jesus Christ leave me. Satan in the name of Jesus Christ flee. Satan in the name of Jesus Christ get out of here.”

3. Be careful about what we watch and read. Does the material build our spirit or sap our energy and leave us restless and dissatisfied?

4. Be cautious of Internet traps where pornography, violence, gambling reside.

5. Analyze Facebook entrapments. Do messages from friends produce jealousy, envy, or discontent? Are our posts prideful? Could we spend more time on uplifting experiences?

6. Be aware of our dress and our actions. What does our appearance, our body language, and our words reflect about us?

7.  Cultivate a Christian mentor to monitor our behavior.

8.  Bring zest, vitality, and liveliness to our daily activities.

9.  Socialize with lively, fun-filled Christians.

10.  Arm ourselves against the spiritual forces of evil: put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of peace, the helmet of salvation; take up the shield of faith, and brandish the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.