IF I WERE THE DEVIL

8 23 12 Paul Harvey If I Were the Devil Gal 5 19 21

Don’t forget to pray. 

Scripture:  Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV) ¹⁹ The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Paul Harvey If I Were the Devil

If I were the devil...

If I were the prince of darkness I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness, and I’d have a third of its real estate and four fifths of its population. But I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree: thee.

So I’d set about however necessary, to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first. I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve, “Do as you please.” To the young I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince them that man created God, instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is square. And the old I would teach to pray after me, “our father which art in Washington...”

And then I’d get organized: I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies, and vice-versa. I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.
If I were the devil I’d soon have families at war with themselves; churches at war with themselves; and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings, I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.

If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellect, but neglect to discipline emotions; just let those run wild, until before you knew it you’d have to have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing; I’d have judges promoting pornography. Soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls—and church money.

If I were the devil I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg, and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

If I were the devil I’d take from those who have, and give to those who want it, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what’ll you bet I couldn’t get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich.
I would caution against extremes, and hard work, and patriotism, and moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old fashioned—that swinging is more fun. That what you see on TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure.

In other words, if I were the devil I would just keep on doing what he is doing. Paul Harvey, March 16, 1993

Note:  Notice the date 1993. It certainly looks like Paul Harvey got it right and for the lost of the world his comments seem to be very accurate. Go back and read the article again and in your mind compare it to what you see going on around you today, what you see on the local television stations and reading in the local newspapers. What do you think?

What Paul Harvey's article does not address is the victory of those who are in Christ and the battle that they are waging and winning. To view the events going on around us through the eyes of Christ should be reassuring. It means that the prophecies and the Words of Christ are being fulfilled in exactly the way in which Jesus said they would. So rather than being in despair our spirits are rejoicing because we know that Jesus Christ is coming soon.

Today I seek to encourage you in the same way the apostle Paul sought to encourage the Galatian Christians. I encourage you to live by the Spirit, seeking to glorify God; enabling you to win the battle over the flesh and its desire to gratify its sinful nature.

I encourage you to stay in the Word. More importantly "live by the Word.” When you do you will bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of what is going on around you, you can inexperience the joy of your salvation and the peace that is yours in Christ. In the midst of the turmoil you can show the fruit of the Spirit, patience, extending kindness, goodness, and gentleness to others, especially to your brothers and sisters in the faith. While the world is out of control the Holy Spirit's power in you enables you to be self-controlled. To bear fruit in the midst of trials and tribulations is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence and your faithfulness to Christ; you choose to walk and live by faith rather than by sight. Your life, the way you live is evidence to all that you belong to Jesus Christ having crucified your sinful nature with its passions and desires.

One of the great blessings that is yours is to see the way you respond to the events going on around you; the way in which you are grieved in your spirit in the same way the Holy Spirit is grieved. This response should be evidence to you that you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Your new mind, your new way of thinking, is becoming more and more like the mind of Christ. This is a marvelous blessing. It shows Jesus Christ as being faithful in bringing about the change in you, conforming you to his image. This is his ultimate plan and purpose for your life. I hope having knowledge of this truth causes you to say a big, "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord."

Word from the Lord:  

Did the Lord speak to you today?  Why not write it down and claim it for His Glory. 

Prayer:  What do you need to pray to the Lord today? Listen to your heart. He loves you!