Truth, Lies, and Satan

It is easy to see through a outright lie, and to refute it. If someone offered you a cigarette and said it was good for your health, you would immediate know that was false.

But where it gets difficult is when the person who is trying to convince you of something bases his case on truth. Then, once you are "hooked," he might twist things a little. But almost never will he come out with a bold-faced lie that you could easily disprove.

That is how Satan works, starting in Genesis 3. Notice that he doesn't come right out to Eve and say, "God doesn't love you." He asks some questions, leaves out a few details, misrepresents what God actually said. But he lets Eve herself come to the lying conclusion.

Teach your children that this is how Satan works. Make sure they know that Satan is the father of lies, but that he knows the truth (James 2:19), and he will subtly twist the truth.

Satan won't come right out and make your child doubt your love, or God's love. But he will keep reminding your child about all those desires that were not met.

Satan won't come right out and tell your child that she is not valuable. But he will remind her of those comments made by those other girls.

Satan won't come right out and convince your child to sin against God. But he will try to convince him that those temptations will bring your son pleasure (and he is right).
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."  (Ephesians 6:12)

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image courtesy of Mattox via sxc.hu

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