I love the truth- facts, stats, science, logic, journalism, unedited photography, probability, strength, natural lighting. I love it all!
The Bible calls Satan a liar, a deceiver and- what’s worse- the father of all lies!
He is, without a doubt, my enemy.
(John 8:44 He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.)
However, I’d like to qualify this “liar” title he holds.
While Satan’s native language is lies, he also speaks the truth. That is, after all, how he tried to tempt Jesus for forty days.
He knows the truth. And while that may not be his best plan of attack, it’s one heck of a backup.
He tells me exactly how it is every single day.
“I’m not outgoing. I have no spiritual gifts. $13,500 plus insurance, a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, passport, insurance. It’s never gonna happen. I can’t talk to people about Jesus. No one believes in me. What skills do I have to be useful on this race? To my team? To the communities we go to? I’m going to fail- at fundraising, at preparing my heart, at meeting my goals. Why am I so stupid? I have less than nothing to offer anyone.”
Do you see it? It’s truth.
He might not have lied to me… BUT he deceived me.
Notice how it isn’t just one negative reality he mentions. He goes for everything all at once. And it’s all negative truths, not one positive truth is mentioned. Objectively, he stacked the cards and slanted the evidence.
He’s a jerk. BUT he didn’t just stack the deck.
Matt 16:23 “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
HE DID LIE!
Human truth (Satan’s truth) is not God’s truth. What I see is not what God sees.
That’s what faith is. You do as you’re told. And when you see something terrible up ahead? You do as you’re told.
So, to recap: Satan is a liar. He speaks the truth, but not actual truth. He is a deceiver. He does not induce, he reduces. A more accurate term for him? Fallacious at best.
