13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 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 11:13-15 (KJV)
“Bewitched, Bedazzled, Bewildered & Deceived”
Stained glass at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church. Image via Wikipedia
What a frightening warning: “whose end shall be according to their works.” This verse warns us against enchantments caused by the comet-tail of evil. There is no evil deeper than that demon of darkness, Satan, yet he often masquerades as an angel of light. Light fascinates us mortals. By it we navigate our environment, accomplish goals, and mark time. From the aurora borealis to cheap mirror balls, displays of light dazzle us, in ways that echo how the “angel of light” deceives us.
Blinded by the Light
Satan masquerades as an angel of light, and he also masquerades as enlightenment. Our minds and our societies reach for enlightenment, whereby we perceive that we are made more wise. Isn’t that how the arch tempter cause the fall of mankind, by promising enlightenment? Some knowledge is rightly restricted by God.
Beauty dazzles. It looks real good. We gasp in awe at persons and things we consider beautiful. Our brains are hard-wired to react positively to symmetry. Yet herein lies a snare. Things that dazzle command your attention. When you are in a state of bedazzlement, you become blind to the beauty and goodness of other things. The effect may last seconds, minutes, hours, days or years. Evil needs only the smallest gap to insert its poison. Once bitten, its effects, like entropy, tend toward disorder and death. Its venom is the way of this world, which is the enemy of God.
The Devil You Know
Unfortunately, the angel of light and false enlightenment often sets up shop in the church. The Bible makes it clear that deceitful workers seek entry into the church for the ravenous destruction of the unwary, the innocent. They seek to capture the souls of men and women. The tales of sexual abuse, thefts and corruption of innocents at the hands of those who claim to be the ministers of God are age-old and too many to count. The goal of every Christian is to weed them out. The weeding out process starts with the eyes and the caution to beware visual, auditory, gustatory and other sensual delights and amazement.
Touch of Evil
If the arch-demon Satan can transform himself into an angel of light, then what is true of the head, is also reflected in the smallest element. Like the Bible says: “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump”(1 Corinthians 5:6). In disappointments and in amazement, in sorrow and delight Believers must seek the truth of God. We must stay vigilant and obedient to the voice of the Holy Spirit, Who “leads us into all truth.”(John 16:13) Only by the Lord’s guidance and chastisements will we learn that all light that would shine upon us must be first refracted through the prism of God’s word before we trust and embrace it.
Reflection
Knowing that walking by faith not by sight involves submitting all things and everyone in my life to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus as revealed in the word of God, and knowing that without the Holy Spirit as the agent of my discernment I am blind to the evil that is hidden in things that seem beautiful, what then is my prayer?
My Prayer
Most gracious and loving Heavenly Father, I praise your name that Jesus is the true light and life of the world. Bless Your Holy name, Lord! Father, forgive me for the many times I have allowed my attention to wonder, and my eyes and mind to be dazzled by the light of this world. Forgive me for the many times others have suffered because I did not pay attention to Your Word. Father I have been deceived many times. Help to have the heart and will to obey Your word and subject everything that pertains to me and mine to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord for Your boundless mercy to your servant. These things I ask, in Jesus’ precious name. Amen, and Amen!
Until next time: “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might!”
Your friend in Christ,
Verneda
Twitter handle: @vlights
Related articles
- What Stamps Are on Your Believer’s Passport? (e-graphx.com)
- Sorry? Really? (e-graphx.com)
