Monet

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.  2 Corinthians 2:11

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour.  1 Peter 5:8

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in (or leads to) death.  Proverbs 14:12

Claude Monet founded French impressionist art and in May 2008, one of his paintings sold for a record $41,481,000 at auction.  Seven weeks later, June 24, a new record was set when Water Lily Pond went for $80,400,000.  

I mention Monet because, the thing I notice is Monet paintings looked great from a distance but are a mess up close.  The Monet label began slowly, applied to just a few subjects.  It's a Monet or That's a Monet quickly became a regular opinion.  Monet was mi amigo.  I used it to describe everything I didn't like or didn't meet my expectations.  Anything and everything could be a Monet... cars, food, movies.  

I don't enjoy the Superbowl because it's almost always a Monet.  High expectation, enormous hype, the halftime extravaganza, and yet the game almost always disappoints.  Movies get the Monet tag frequently.  The trailers get people to pony up $10-$13, but too many end up just average or worse.  Monet "stuff" makes you believe something great, something fun, or something extraordinary is on the way until the personal experience begins.  What does this have to do with God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, or Satan?  Good question.

I ask, how many Christians stop to realize that Satan is real, that he is part of this world, that he is involved in the church, and that he will engage Christians in a personal and aggressive manner?  The Holy Spirit equips us to live for Jesus Christ and the devil Satan is God’s ultimate opponent… His adversary.  God is light… Satan is darkness;  God is truth… Satan in the father of lies; God is love… Satan is evil.

Satan is a reality.  Satan isn’t preoccupied.  You won't find him parked in front of a TV on a snow day.  He isn’t tapping combinations of X + R1 mesmerized by Assassin’s Creed or Call of Duty for hours that consume your time and energy.  Satan doesn’t send 4000 text messages a month.  He isn't consumed with learning everything about the next great entertainer.  The devil is committed to confusing you, distracting you, and derailing your relationship with Christ. If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, his sole purpose is to destroy your testimony

As God is for you, Satan is against you.  Satan is your ultimate enemy too.  The Bible never underestimates his power and clearly outlines his intentions.  The curious thing about Satan is... he is good at what he does, exceptionally good.  The father of lies has a knack for promoting sin and evil as benign and good (pleasure versus joy again).  Sin, evil, and his vices look good, sometimes indescribably good, at a distance but they’re actually a mess once you get close.  Two common examples, cliches, that get mentioned often in student ministries: alcohol and promiscuity.   

Satan promotes alcohol as fun and games.  Look at the commercial, just look at everyone smiling, laughing, connecting... who wouldn't want that experience?  It makes everything better.  In fact, alcohol makes you better, more likeable.  Alcohol is harmless, especially in moderation.  Hey, Jesus turned water into wine (John 2).  BUT... Satan conveniently leaves out the person lying in their own vomit after having one too many.  Waking up with no memory of the previous night isn't included.  He fails to mention it is habit forming, so if you drink enough of it you more likely than not need it to function... you become addicted.  You cannot stop the very act that is destroying your life.  His line... it's all good, it's all fun and games.  He is "the father of lies" for a reason. 

Promiscuity, causal sex?  Same strategy.  He says it’s no big deal.  It's all good too, it's blissful, wonderful, and intimate because that's what is portrayed on the cinema screen, on the cable show, and in books.  Take a look at the romance novel section next time you visit a bookstore.  The cover is always a very beautiful thing. why wait for marriage when you are in love now and committed.   Sex strengthens relationships.  No harm, no foul.  But, Satan will not explain sex changes you.  He will never reveal the emotional carnage of guilt, rejection, loneliness, regret, and so much more when the girl realizes he lied ans things suddenly aren't eorking out.  He will never highlight the excruciating wait after peeing on a pregnancy test.  The devil will not let you know it’s actually a huge deal, HUGE. 

If nothing else, remember this one thing... the Bible does not depict Satan as a hideous monster with fangs.  He doesn't have cute little horns or a pitchfork.  That would be far too easy to reject him; too easy to turn around and run from him.  Who would look at a hideous monster and think I want to hang with him?  The Bible says Satan was the most beautiful being God created.  Are you aware Satan and his demons have the power to cloak themselves as “ministers of righteousness”?  

He and his demons are far more likely to coax you into thinking God doesn't see me or God is mad at me or God hates me.  Then, they will change into whoever you need them to be.  They will offer you what you feel you want.  Satan wants you to join his team.  He is the master deceiver of the universe.  He is the Monet of the Bible.

Have a good and godly day.