HOW DO WE KNOW THAT SATAN IS NOT DECEIVING US?

One skeptic wrote: “It seems that Satan, if it existed, could quite easily convince someone that he was sent from God, and thereby confuse someone.”

I responded: “This is true. However, there are several ways that we can be assured that we are not being led by Satan. For one thing, Paul contrasts the fruits of the flesh and Satan from the fruits of the Spirit:

·       But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:16-23)

However, I must admit that Satan is clever. He can present himself as a minister of righteousness and deceive many:

·       …for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

Eventually, we will come to know these “servants of righteousness” by their deeds (Matthew 7:15). But ultimately, our hope is in the Lord. He will protect our heart and mind. However, when we confidently step outside of the parameters of His protective Word, we become fair game for Satan. This is why Jesus, when being tempted by Satan quoted Scripture:

·       But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

We are all under powerful spiritual influences. When we reject God, we become pawns of Satan:

·       We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)

How can Satan do this to us? This is a testimony to the fact that we ordinarily feel more comfortable in the deceptions of Satan than we do in the scrutinizing light of God (John 3:19-20). It is Satan’s darkness that allows us to hide and to believe that we are far better than what we are. He is a flatterer.

This also pertains to those who seem to be moral and righteous, even self-sacrificing. Appearances, as you point out, can be very deceiving.