On Jan. 7, 2019, Rolling Stone columnist Daniel Kreps gave this report: “Upon winning best actor in a motion picture comedy or musical for his portrayal of former vice president Dick Cheney, Christian Bale told the audience and the millions watching at home, ‘Thank you to Satan for giving me inspiration on how to play this role.’ Bale also said Cheney was ‘absolutely charisma-free and reviled by everybody.’”
Soon after that acceptance speech, the Church of Satan recognized Bale’s gratitude on Twitter: “To us, Satan is a symbol of pride, liberty and individualism, and it serves as an external metaphorical projection of our highest personal potential. As Mr. Bale’s own talent and skill won him the award, this is fitting. Hail Christian! Hail Satan!”
Given the relaxed faith of many people today, a typical Catholic would probably smile and describe him as a fictitious character promoted by marketing gurus to sell more books or by clergy to scare us. Yet, Satan has an active church – and it is active on social media. Should we be concerned?
Right after Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Mt 3:16-17) Jesus’ ministry was set in motion. Instead of going into the temple to teach and preach the kingdom of Heaven was at hand, the Spirit took Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards He was hungry. The tempter approached and said to Him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.’” (Mt 4:1-3) The cunning creature waited until Jesus was weak from hunger, hoping our Savior would sin by changing the stones into bread. After Satan’s third and last attempt, Jesus told him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: ‘The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.’ ” (Mt 4:9).
Jude 1:9 is another example on how to shun the tempter: “Yet the archangel Michael, when he argued with the devil in a dispute over the body of Moses, did not venture to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him but said, ‘May the Lord rebuke you!’ ” If Satan tried to tempt Christ and an archangel, wouldn’t he also be after Christ’s Church?
The Apostle James also knew Satan was an adversary: “So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jm 4:7)
The Book of Job has fascinating dialogue. In Job 1:6-7, God and the satan have a brief conversation: “One day, when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, the satan also came among them. The Lord said to the satan, ‘Where have you been?’ Then the satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Roaming the earth and patrolling it.’ ” Take note: the accuser told God that he was roaming and patrolling the earth. This verse connects to 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings.”
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, Satan was watching and waiting to strike: “Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was drawing near, and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to put Him to death, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered into Judas, the one surnamed Iscariot, who was counted among the Twelve, and he went to the chief priests and temple guards to discuss a plan for handing Him over to them. They were pleased and agreed to pay him money. He accepted their offer and sought a favorable opportunity to hand him over to them in the absence of a crowd.” (Lk 22:1-6)
Jesus knew Satan entered into Judas’ heart: “When he had said this, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom he meant. One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at Jesus’ side. So Simon Peter nodded to him to find out whom He meant. He leaned back against Jesus’ chest and said to Him, ‘Master, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.’ So He dipped the morsel and (took it and) handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot. After he took the morsel, Satan entered him. So Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly.’ (Now) none of those reclining at table realized why He said this to him.” (Jn 13:21-28)
Should we be concerned about Satan and his work on this earth? Yes, but the Apostle Paul gives us the right advice.
St. Paul exhorted the Church at Ephesus knowing the Church was at war with supernatural powers and how they could overcome this spiritual battle: “Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from His mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:11-16)
Bobby Speers is an author who lives in Hickory.