Another Adversary

Unless you have completely isolated yourself from society by not watching television, reading a newspaper, been connected to any online website, not answered your phone, or had any contact with any person able to communicate, you have undoubtedly heard the big news of the week. Prince William got married to now Princess Catherine. From Thursday night until Sunday night, that was the big news. Until. . . Sunday evening when it was announced during the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies baseball game that Osama (Usama) Bin Laden was killed.
Yes, Bin Laden has been killed, but do not be fooled, there is another adversary in the world. We must not let our guard down and we must continue to be vigilant and be on the alert for him, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NASB)
Recently, there have been books and articles written that attempt to make the statement that the devil does not exist. That is a tactic used to gain a foothold. If a person is not prepared for an adversary, because they believe the adversary does not exist, they will not be able to overcome the adversary, for they will not be prepared. Just like a thief in someone’s home. They lock the doors and protect their possessions, not because they have been robbed, but because the existence of thieves. If thieves did not exist, then people would not lock their doors, for there would be no reason to lock the doors.
The devil is real. If you want, go ahead and read that sentence again, I will wait. I will also retype it if you do not want to reread it: The devil is real. 1 John 3:8 states, “for the devil has sinned from the beginning.” He was made holy like the other angels, he introduced sin into the universe, and that he has continued to practice it ever since, for he not only sinned by rebelling against God himself, but also by tempting man, to sin against God. He did not commit one act of sin and then reform; but he has continued, and still continues, his course of sin. The devil tempted Adam and Eve into sin. He attempted to tempt Jesus into sin. He continues to lead humanity into sin.
Do not let your guard down for a second. There is another adversary in the world. He is the devil. He will seek to destroy you. When people do not acknowledge the existence of the devil, his work becomes much easier. Be on the alert, be ever vigilant, be ever prayerful. The devil exists, and he wants you to believe he does not.