After reading Mark’s last post, “Whose Authority is It,” I continued on in my thoughts and remembered this incredible transcript by Paul Harvey recorded in 1965 titled, “If I Were the Devil.” It really amazes me how accurately he “prophesied” the future spiritual condition of the United States, over 51 years ago.  Many of his statements were considered ridiculous and outlandish at that time in history.  Yet, we find ourselves today…

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 it’s 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 intellects, 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 symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

“If I were the devil I’d take from those, and who have, and give to those wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what do you bet? I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich? I would caution against extremes and hard work, in Patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on the 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’d just keep right on doing on what he’s doing. Paul Harvey, good day.”

Thinking about this, I believe Satan would rather set forth false ideas about himself — that he does exist but he’s something less than what he really is. Some imagine him to be a sort of a mythological figure representing general evil. Others may see him as a red, satin-suited, horned, forked-tailed, pitchforked sort of degraded fairy-tale monster. And many see him as somebody to be feared, and somebody to torment Christians, from whom we have to run and go somewhere to get delivered. But I think Satan would rather be non-existent, or come across as non-existent, at least in the mind of a man, in order to be invisible in his reality. That’s why he masks himself — but, thank God, the Bible unmasks him. It’s amazing that even those who claim to worship Satan are really not worshiping the Satan that exists, but a manufactured Satan that Satan himself uses to trap men. He is a deceiver. He is the master deceiver of the universe. He clobbers us by making us trust our own resources, by causing us to lose faith in God, to lie, to be immoral, to love the world, to be proud, to be discouraged with spiritual struggles – and that way he can try to gain the victory.  

But you know something? It’s not all doom and gloom — far from it! Don’t ever doubt that God is far, far stronger than Satan. Satan’s power is limited; God’s power is limitless. Satan’s power is temporary; God’s power is eternal. Satan’s power is entirely evil; God’s power is entirely good. Satan is part of the creation—but God is the Creator. Satan didn’t make the world; God did—and God is still in control of it, because He is sovereign.

The more real Satan appears in our day, the more precious the victory of Christ will become to those who believe in Him. The New Testament teaches that when Christ died and rose again Satan was defeated. A time of limited freedom is granted to him, but his power against God’s people is broken and his destruction is sure. Yes, someday Christ will return and destroy the devil’s work. Satan is a defeated foe! It all goes back to the cross. He has been defeated, and we have been given victory. Our task now is to live in that victory.

Holding fast,

Lori

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

^{Photography by Jose Chavez}