Have You Ever Been Deceived by Spiritual Disguises?

© 2018 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

On Halloween, many children go door to door saying “Trick or Treat!”  Supposedly, if they don’t get a treat, they may play some sort of trick on the residents of that home.  For a few of the children, this may explain why they are wearing a costume that disguises them.  That way they won’t get caught when they “play the trick.”

Disguises have been used since early times.  Shortly after God’s week of creation, Satan purposed to deceive Adam and Eve into disobeying God.  Thus, he appeared to them in the form of a serpent.  He also uses many other disguises.  For example, even though he’s a sin-darkened creature, he disguises himself as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).  He hides his true identity in order to deceive.  In fact, Scripture makes it clear that Satan deceives the whole world.

“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9)

Though most children probably don’t plan Halloween tricks, the Devil is always trying to trick people into missing Heaven.  He does this by presenting himself as a benefactor who gives alluring gifts.  He may offer candy, or he may offer beautifully packaged temptations to lure folks into his realm of control.  Most of all, Satan will try to keep people from thinking about their sin, or the Savior.  He will oppose any spread of the gospel which teaches that God the Son, Jesus, came to save sinners.  To do this, he tries to blind us to his own existence and that of his demonic followers.

Interestingly enough, many of the Halloween costumes portray death and demonic creatures as funny, imaginary ideas.  Could it be that Satan, himself, is trying to inoculate us against the reality of his evil demons and death?  If he’s successful, some may ignore their need for Christ, the Savior, who died and rose again.

Both Satan and death are real.  Scripture says,

“… it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27).

Are you trusting Christ to save you from sin and evil, or has Satan tricked you with disguises?

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