The other day I was talking to a neighbor discussing the problem many (if not all) folks
have with temptation and sin. My friend made reference to the image of Satan coming
to visit us with a pointed tail and a pitchfork. I looked at my friend and replied,
“Sometimes the devil wears a dress.”
The image we have of Satan as a monster, a dark under lord who casts fear upon all
he encounters is not at all realistic. Sure the Bible refers to him as a serpent (Genesis
3:4, 14; Revelation 20:2), as a dragon (Revelation 12:3, 9) and as a lion (1 Peter 5:8).
But these are descriptive of who he really is (a liar, murder and prince of darkness) and
not how he manifests himself to us today.
The truth is Satan, temptation and sin are made to appear beautiful to behold and
wonderful to engage in. Consider what is said in 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the
Father, but is of the world.” Paul wrote to the church at Corinth and told them of “false
apostles” and “deceitful workers” who were able to transform “themselves into apostles
of Christ.” Then he said that this should not surprise them, “For Satan himself
transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers
also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
I recall a preacher once saying that the reason people sin is because it feels good.
Folks engage in sins of the flesh because it feels good. Many look upon evil things
because they are beautiful to behold. People lie, cheat and steal because they can then
get what they want. Alcohol and drug use make us cool and give us a high. If sin felt
bad (like walking around hitting yourself in the head with a hammer) no one would do it. Hebrews 11:25 speaks of Moses and how he chose not to “enjoy the pleasures of sin.”
However, it is important for us to remember that this is simply how Satan tempts us into sin. The beauty and good feelings are only temporary and deceiving. In this case
beauty really is only skin deep. The Bible is right about who Satan really is and we
should not be “ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11). In order to do that we have
to look below the surface of sin and see it the way God sees it.
Satan and sin may look good at the present…but it only leads to heartache and
disappointment. Look around! Where you see sin you will find crime, poverty, broken
homes and shattered dreams. There you might just see Satan then as the evil creature
he truly is! Ultimately the unrepentant sinner will find himself with the evil one for
eternity in the place God has prepared for him (Matthew 25:41). Be faithful!