Don’t Let Satan Distract You
Dear brethren, let us never forget whose world this is. The old hymn “This Is My Father’s World” may sound good on the surface, but it is a deception—with a bit of truth to disguise the lie. Yes, God did create our world “of rocks and trees, of skies and seas.” But this hymn also subtly implies that God is the current ruler of this world. We know that God the Father and Jesus the Christ are all-powerful and rule over Satan, but they established Lucifer’s throne on earth in the distant past and will allow him to remain on it until a future time (Isaiah 14:13). On the night when He was betrayed, Jesus reminded His disciples that this evil spirit being is still the ruler of this age (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Paul also reminds us that this being is the “god” of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2). God even gave us a Holy Day devoted to the fact that the Devil is real and must be removed from power upon Christ’s return (Leviticus 23:26–32; Revelation 20:1–3).
Some Church members are tempted to try to change Satan’s world now. But while we are certainly called to “shine our light” as Christians—being honest, caring, and polite; being good neighbors; setting righteous examples; and doing good works when we have the opportunity—it is notappropriate for God’s people to advocate or vote for a human savior or to march and demonstrate for one worldly cause or another. Our responsibility is to proclaim to this world the better way of life that will come with the Kingdom of God, and to warn mankind of what will surely happen to those who do not turn in a different direction. Only when Christ returns will we have the opportunity and the power to change the world! That must always be our focus.
Satan is a master of distraction. He cares little which distraction you fall for—only that you get your mind off the great commission to which you are called (Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15–16). Remember, when God explained to Ezekiel that He was setting him as a watchman for the house of Israel, He made it abundantly clear that this was a serious matter—he would be held accountable (Ezekiel 3:17–21). As we know, the house of Israel had gone into captivity more than a century earlier. The commission was for a future Work to carry Ezekiel’s message: Repent of your sins or go into captivity!
May we not become distracted by rumors, conspiracies, or divisive worldly issues. We have a great Work to do!