MASTER OF DISGUISE

In just a few days, we’ll see people of all ages decked out in a variety of different costumes celebrating Halloween.  And though a lot of attention is centered on the “trick or treating,” with children going from door to door collecting an assortment of sweet treats, another aspect of the activity is the apparel itself, ranging from cute to humorous to scary.  No matter the outfit, the objective is the surprise of who is hidden behind the mask or make-up.

While pondering all of this, it reminded me of the “master of disguise,” that being Satan himself.  In the book of Revelation, we find the evil one identified in a number of different ways – the great dragon, serpent, the Devil, and Satan – with the sole intent to “deceive the whole world” (Revelation 12:9).  And he is crafty in how he goes about it.  The apostle Paul, in speaking of false apostles in his second letter to the church in Corinth, tells us “But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).

We can see, therefore, the importance of being diligent in our studies of the Lord’s word so that we can make the distinction between those who are teaching truth and those who are teaching falsehood, for Satan, our adversary and the master of disguise, is always on the prowl, “seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).