Satan Hates the Church:

Something To Think About

SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT     I've never been very impressed with the popular "Spiritual Warfare" movement.  I tend to plead to the Lord of the universe rather than rebuke the prince of the power of the air.  Having said that I'm greatly impressed with the evidence in the book of Acts that Satan hates the church.  When I say "church" I'm not talking about a building at 2140 S. Carpenter Drive, or even many organizations that go by that name.  I'm talking about those gatherings of God's people, who band together under the heading of "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:4-6)    The church I have in mind preaches "Christ, and Him crucified."  (1 Corinthians 2:2)  These are folk who have no back up plan.  If the world-changing, death-defeating, salvation-securing event that left an empty tomb in Jerusalem is somehow false, then "we are of all men most to be pitied."  (1 Corinthians 15:19)  They hold to a two millennia old story with a confidence that some outsiders find arrogant, others call foolish, but in the heart of hearts of the naysayers there is desperate craving for that security. Billy Graham and Larry King January 1988 Make sure you listen to Larry's final comment. . Why would the prince of darkness be concerned about a nickel and dime real estate deal?  Yet, Acts 5:3 clearly says "Satan filled" the hearts of this admiration-craving couple to lie about their finances.  Ananias and Sapphira likely weren't even pawns on the devils chess board.  They were dust that got brushed away when one moves a pawn.  What was important to Satan was this church exploding in Jerusalem--reaching into every area of society--soon to metastisize (from his perspective) and spread to Samaria, Antioch and the world.  These social climbers were nothing more than a scratch in the church's skin.  Satan figured it was a place where his virus of pride could infect the church, and cripple her with the moral compromise of falsehood.   Meanwhile, Saul of Tarsus, an up-and-coming, hard-charging young rabbi, began "ravaging the church."  (Acts 8:1-4 & 9:1)  After Saul became one of us--The Apostle Paul--he identified the source of that maniacal rage.  He told the Thessalonians to pray that he would be "rescued from perverse and evil men"--the very kind of man he used to be--and then he assures them that the "Lord [will] . . . protect you from the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3) He educates the church at Ephesus,  "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against "spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."  (Ephesians 6:12)  Paul had always been a warrior in that battle.  He switched sides on his trip to Damascus. There is at least one other place in the early chapter of Acts where we can see the devil's fingerprints.  One of his names means slanderer; he is the accuser of the brethren.  (Revelation 12:10)   The squabble that introduces Acts 6is from a well-worn page of his playbook.  Feeding the needy is important, but it is not the supremely important, and besides arguing wouldn't provide any bread.  A church devoted merely to doing good, rather than dedicated to the supreme good is no good to God and no threat to Satan. Satan hated those Jesus-followers in the early chapters of Acts.  He still hates those who follow in that way.  His fiery darts  are dipped in the poison of "dis"--distraction, discouragement, and disgrace.  When churches fail, outwardly and obviously, but even more when the failure is under the radar, leaving a church-like shell that does him no harm and God no good, the church is disqualified for the task to which he pumps his fist and says "Yes!"    Lord, keep me on the right side.  Help me to lead the Covington Bible Church to be a church that Satan hates.  Keep me (us) fighting!   Amen  It's STTA.