Satan is master of illusion. Through pure evil, he can give the appearance of an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). The devil can make the righteous feel outnumbered, outgunned, and overpowered, when such is not the case at all. He can talk Christians into surrendering on his terms by getting them to overlook the vast spiritual resources God puts at their disposal.
Long ago, the prophet Elisha was surrounded by a Syrian army bent on his capture (2 Kings 6:8-17). Elisha was not bothered by this, but his servant was greatly distressed.
Elisha told his servant, “Fear not; for they that are with us are more than they that are with them.”
Elisha then prayed for God to open the eyes of his servant so he could see what Elisha already saw. God did so, and the servant was able to see “the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” God had the matter well in hand, and was more than able to conquer the Syrians, which he did. Elisha’s servant gained a new and accurate perspective. He learned the enemy’s strength was illusory, and that, if God is for you, there is more power at work than can be defeated. And there is more to a battle than meets the eye.
Wickedness is at high tide in America: abortion, homosexuality, fornication, divorce, drunkenness, hatred, lying, atheism, false religions, etc. The list is long, but sin’s heyday will not last. The master of illusion is served by the deluded. We need to believe the Bible and dig in, not give up. After all,
“If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom. 8:31).
-Weylan Deaver, TBC Online Instructor
