February 24, 2021
Dear friends,
On Sunday we heard the story of Jesus’ temptation by the devil in the wilderness while he fasted for 40 days and nights. Our impressions of the devil tend to have been formed by popular culture (think a cartoonish red body, tail, horns, and a pitchfork). It’s helpful to temper those impressions with a reminder from St. Paul. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul describes the danger of false teachers, who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. “And no wonder,” he goes on, “for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). He comes to us as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The serpent came up alongside Eve as a friend, as one who was going to tell her the whole truth and give her good things.
All of that means that if you’re not paying attention, you will be deceived. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). And the deception is simple, like the suggestion whispered to Eve, “Did God really say…?” Did God really say that was sinful? Did God really say that that was good? Did God really promise blessings to the righteous? Does God really love you?
You will not be able to see the devil’s wings and horns and pitchfork. That is, you won’t be able to see them unless you’re trained in spotting him. That’s what the Scriptures are for: training in righteousness. Through the Scriptures we learn good and evil. Even more, we learn to love what is good and hate what is evil. And even more yet, we learn how God has given us his own goodness by the blood of Jesus on the cross. All of that knowledge and insight and wisdom is like a spotlight that lets you flush out the devil wherever he might be hiding in the shadows.
Learn from Jesus to watch and pray, to stand firm, not to be misled, but to hold fast to the truth and promises of God’s Word!
God bless and keep you,
Pr. Buchs