Exodus 7:14-9:35

I’ve often wondered how the magicians could perform some of the same miracles Moses and Aaron did. How were their rods turned to snakes and back? How could they turn water into blood or make frogs come up on the land? I vaguely remember someone explaining it once but I forget.

Sitting here this morning I am reminded that Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. He wants to look like God so he can fool us into believing him.

Satan can enter a person and prompt him or her to do good things, say things that sound like Scripture, lead churches or charities or nations and so look like a Christian that even Christians are fooled. The angel of light “enlightens”  his followers who begin to question Scripture’s authenticity on so called scientific findings or intellectual reasoning:

“God didn’t really complete creation in six twenty-four hour days”. “Scripture was compiled by men so we can’t believe it is infallible”. “Jesus wasn’t really born of a virgin nor was he really God. He was a good man, a prophet”. “A loving God wouldn’t send someone to hell”. “We all worship the same God, don’t we?”

I could go on. But God is saying to me to beware of the angel of light. He can look like the truth if I don’t know what the Truth really is. He might be able to fool Pharaoh by turning water into blood. But he’s still the enemy whose only goal is to take me to hell with him.

Lord, give us discernment. Help us to recognize the angel of light and reject him on the basis of Your Truth. Keep us grounded in Your Word. And help us to stand firm.