And this wicked, evil devil knows our every weakness. He has a PhD (Pretty HOT Degree) in human nature. He is aware of our pride, ego, vanity, jealousy, fear, hate, anger, lust, laziness, lying and all the rest. Satan knows our need for acceptance, love, and friendship. Peer pressure is one of Satan's most potent weapons, and he has a huge arsenal of powerful weapons.

Satan is a liar, and the father of lies and liars. He is a deceiver, the absolute master of deception, even able to change himself into an "angel of light." Who does he deceive? God's people, of course. He already owns the rest; they are not his enemies. And Satan has a huge amount of help on his side: The media, politicians, public opinion, the so - called justice system, and worst of all is religion; not just the pagan religions, but "Christianity," too, when it involves those claiming Christ whose hearts are still tied to this world. All religion is manmade, with Satan's support. Period.

Satan is much too cunning, powerful, sneaky, crafty, and capable for us to fight on our own. We must have help. We are told to put on the whole armor of God, including the sword of the Spirit. And we are also told to pray at all times in the Spirit, and to keep alert. For without the help, leadership, guidance, encouragement, and constant protection of the Holy Spirit, we are doomed. But that part about keeping alert is of capital importance, too. Remember, every effective trap uses attractive bait and an innocent appearance. Think about it. More Christians are lured away by something that looks good, or "feels" good, than are ever slaughtered in combat in this war. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death."

Many new Christians want to get involved in God's work. The fire is burning. They are excited. So they join a "church" that seems to be moving, growing, and doing. They are soon spending their time and money on programs, projects, facilities, salaries, meetings, retreats, doctrinal studies, rites, rituals, etc. The more active they become, the deeper they sink into denominational churchiosity. And the fire goes out. It was so easy for Satan, he was probably bored. But not everyone is a pushover. We can win. That is our hope.

We are told that many are called, but few are chosen. Only a remnant will find the straight gate. Not everyone who says "Lord, Lord," will enter Heaven. It's not what we claim, but what we are that makes the difference. And it is the few that really want to serve God, love the Lord, and claim the saving Blood of the Lamb that Satan is going to viciously attack. And he always does a thorough job.

Many times, a total commitment to our heavenly Father and to Jesus, our Savior, will result in disaster as viewed by the world. However, we have been given the story of Job to show us how it works; and how we can maintain our integrity, and continue to live for God, and praise the Lord, in spite of calamity. In addition, we are given a behind - the - scenes viewpoint to see Job's story unfold.

Through Satan's attacks, Job lost his family, friends, property, animals, wealth, reputation, prestige, standing, and health. Even his wife told him to, "Curse God and die." His religious "friends" blamed Job for all his own problems, saying that unconfessed sin was the cause. However, in spite of all, Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Then he admitted that God was beyond his understanding, and prayed for his self-righteous friends. At this, God turned Job's captivity, and he received twice as much property as he had before. We are told that the Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. Praise God!

There is something very carnal about the self-righteous mentality, the idea that the victim is to blame for his/her circumstance. There is no pity, no respect, no regard, the rich despise the poor. The pack singles out the old, or weak, or injured. Babies are aborted. Feeding tubes are removed. Parents are stuffed into 'old age' homes. And, all the while, churches get bigger, mega - churches abound, "programs" expand, salaries increase, bulletins get fatter... and Satan smiles.

Why do I keep harping on churches, denominations, and religion? Quite simply because they are Satan's most effective weapons against sincere people who want to serve God and don't really know how. If they only knew: We don't join a church... we are the Church. Nowhere in the bible are we told to identify with a denomination, or pursue a religion. Nowhere are we told to build a huge place of worship or attend church every Sunday. We are not told to follow man's traditions or doctrines.

What we are told is: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be also;" "Forsake not the assembling;" "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth;" and "Follow me."

Ours is a personal relationship with God, based on our acknowledging our sinful condition and unworthiness, and accepting the salvation paid for us by the blood of the Lamb, our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Notice what we are told about studying. We are told to study the Bible (the Word of Truth) to be approved by God. We are not told to study textbooks, essays, religious traditions, doctrines, rites, ceremonies, etc. ...so as to satisfy the faculty at the seminary, or be approved by man. There is entirely too much emphasis put on advanced formal education by our increasingly stupid society. The absolute dumbest people I have ever known had PhD's, and the absolute smartest (my father) only made it through a one-room grade school. Abraham Lincoln had no formal education at all, and Thomas Edison only went to the second grade.

Neither Jesus nor His disciples had much formal education; just a carpenter and fishermen, etc. None of our Bible heroes had advanced degrees, just the call of God. However, the Holy Spirit will lead us "into all truth." What more could we ask? The wisdom of the Creator sure beats the vanity of the created.

Occasionally someone involved in one of our modern so called churches will look around, and wonder whatever happened to the great commission? And what became of the tingle they felt at first? And what about the fire that others once saw in their eyes? Then they get out of that church, and start pursuing their own pet agenda, and soon have another denomination going. We are told to come out of Babylon... not to re-create.

If you are healthy, financially well-off, have many close friends, enjoy the respect of the community, have a caring family, etc.; then live it up! None of the stuff I have said about Satan applies to you. Satan is not your enemy, for you obviously are not one of God's own. God's people will be attacked. That is a certainty. This becomes the acid test of our faith. If Satan doesn't get on your case, then you weren't "saved." And if you run away or give up, then you didn't have the essential help of the Holy Ghost. We are absolutely no match for Satan on our own.

So, how goes it? Have you lost close members of your family? Do you have serious financial problems? Have you been "hailed into court?" Do the rich, proud, vain, and worldly look down on you? Have you lost many friends? Do you get no respect? Do you often feel lonely or afraid? Have you had property taken? Do "religious" folks accuse you of being the cause of your own problems? If so...rejoice! God loves you, and Jesus has saved you. Now, all you have to do is; endure, overcome, keep the faith, occupy, persevere, and witness. At least you won't get bored.

Sometimes we survive Satan's frontal attacks only to be zapped by something sneaky. Sometimes, God loving, good intentioned people come up with an idea that seems to kill two birds with one stone, a win, win proposition. However, it may not be God ordained. For instance, any time we try to make money by selling items that seem to have some Christian connections... we are walking on mighty thin ice. Remember Jesus' reaction to the merchandisers at the temple? We cannot serve God and mammon. Sure, we have to survive; we need to make some money. But we also need to avoid trying to peddle religious keepsakes, do-dads, paraphernalia, trinkets, memorabilia, icons, pictures, novelties (or novels) that are based on the commercialization of Christ. Our Lord is to be worshiped... not used; not sold. Judas already did that. Yes, Satan is a deceiver, and super sneaky... so, be alert.

Often it seems too bad that we can't sell some sort of sin packages; absolution, selective forgiveness, "Buy two sins and get one free," big sin-soaked weekends, anger release vouchers, super self-worship specials, sin-of-the-month or mystery sin coupons, etc. Since everyone is subject to sin, and we all need money to survive; why not capitalize on the situation? Because, quite simply, we know in every fiber of our being that this is both silly and wrong.

We can, however, show others how they can get total forgiveness... plus a ride to heaven And their ticket has already been reserved in their name. And the cost for the whole package is only... EVERYTHING! How good is our salesmanship? Perhaps we need to hone our skills with more practice. Remember, our reward is indescribable, and it goes on and on...