Satan

The senior pastor at the megachurch Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas says Satan attacks Christians first in the mind.

Two middle school girls were arrested in Bartow, Florida on Tuesday, after plotting to kill fifteen classmates as an act of Satan worship.

The Satanic Temple held a protested the presence of a Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol Thursday.

“And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13).<p><p>One simple story illustrates an example of an opportune time, “Alexander was trying to save all the pennies that he could in order to buy a baseball bat. But he had a hard struggle. One night when he was saying his prayers, his mother heard him say fervently, ‘O Lord, please help me save my money for a baseball bat. And, God, don’t let the ice cream man come down this street anymore’!”<p>Isn’t that true of temptation? It takes from us, while at the same time, it looks so appealing. Commentator Klyne Snodgrass states it well, “Mention of the ‘schemes’ of the devil reminds us of the trickery by which evil and temptation present themselves in our lives. Evil rarely looks evil until it accomplishes its goal; it gains entrance by appearing attractive, desirable, and perfectly legitimate. It is a baited and camouflaged trap.” That’s important to note: we can miss evil for what it really is until after it has accomplished its purpose. Only by comparing thoughts and actions to God’s word can we have the insight to see beyond the circumstances.<p>Being tempted isn’t sin—surrendering to it is. Temptation is also an opportunity to do what is right by turning from it. I Corinthians 10:13 states, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” The door of temptation swings both ways—you can enter or exit. If we choose to enter, once inside, we may not see the exit sign so clearly again.<p>Consider these points:<p><span style="font-size:10px;"><em>Photo courtesy: &copy;Thinkstock/bowie15</em></span></p>

“On April 23, the sun, moon, and Jupiter will align in the constellation Virgo to bring on the start of the biblical Rapture, according to the latest claims.” So the UK’s Daily Mail headlines, reporting that Planet X, sometimes called Nibiru, will bring about the end of the world.

Now that's something you don't get asked often—not even in the most spiritually-minded Christian circles. But according to John Piper, this might be a question well worth examining.

Research and studies are showing that more Americans are interested in spirituality, but are less interested in organized religion. This trend is especially true for millennials.

The Colorado Christian baker who was sued for refusing to make a cake for a same-sex couple has been asked to design a cake celebrating Satan’s birthday.

United States intelligence officials recently determined that, in addition to their developing weapons program, North Korea has successfully miniaturized a nuclear warhead that could fit inside many of its long-range missiles.

A follower recently wrote in to evangelist Billy Graham, asking Graham what he believes is the devil’s most successful scheme. Graham had an answer ready.