Satan is intelligent, crafty, and wise, and he’s got 6,000 years of experience. He’s what you might call an “expert”.

He’s also a liar, a murderer, a blasphemer, and a destroyer.

The scripture calls him “the devil”, “the god of this world”, “the prince of this world”, “the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”, and “a king over all the children of pride”.

The children of the flesh are not the children of God. They are ignorant of God and his ways, and therefore of the true necessity of humanity: which is to know God and his ways. Many of them have yielded themselves as instruments of Satan, directly or indirectly, and are used of him as mere pawns in his orchestration of rebellion against God.

The devil’s ministers do not always show up wielding a pitchfork, wearing horns and a spaded tail. In fact, they rarely do; he’s smarter than that. He is an EXPERT deceiver: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Cor. 11:14-15)

Even when they make claims for the preservation and betterment of humanity, they reject the truth of Christ, whom we know really does seek the preservation and betterment of humanity.

Jesus Christ is the good shepherd, which came to seek and to save that which was lost. He proved the validity of his mission by showing that he came from God. He proved both his utter obedience to the Father, and his benevolence toward man, in that he laid down his own life to reconcile God and man. Jesus Christ brought the true goodness of the good God down to man.

The devil is the thief that comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He has no love and no genuine goodwill toward man. He is a deceiver and manipulator, and his children are deceivers and manipulators: “deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). They are full of pride, and they lust after power, just like their father the devil. Therefore, they are drawn toward positions of prominence and authority; as the scripture bears witness: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12)

Of this world, the scripture says:

• “…this present evil world”
• “…the whole world lieth in wickedness.” (1 John 5:19)
• “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” (2 John 1:7)
• “…Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” (Rev. 12:9)
• “…and all the world wondered after the beast” (Rev. 13:3)

It also says, “…know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4) And again, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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.” (1 John 2:15-16)

Moreover, we are warned: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.” (Psalm 118:8-9) And, “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.” (Jer. 17:5)

This, my friends, is why I trust in God, and not in “the experts” offered by the world. Humanity is currently being polarized and separated into two groups: the group that is of God’s Spirit, trusting in Christ; and the group which is of the devil, trusting in man.

“Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” (Psalm 2:10-12)