The Battle for Truth in Today’s World
You know, when we think of Satan, most of us picture him as the serpent in the Garden of Eden, slithering around, whispering lies to Eve. But what if I told you that Satan might not always show up as something so obvious? In today’s world, he might not appear as a serpent at all. He could show up through the media we consume, the culture we live in, and even through certain voices of influence that claim to be religious leaders. It’s an unsettling thought, but one that we must seriously consider as followers of Christ. The enemy’s tactics haven’t changed much—he’s still in the business of distorting truth—but the way he delivers his lies has become far more subtle.
Look around at our culture. How often do we see things that are celebrated in the media that go directly against God’s Word? It’s not just about promoting sinful behavior, but about distorting the very nature of truth. Satan is clever. He knows how to use the platforms that dominate our attention—whether it’s social media, news outlets, or entertainment. He wraps lies in something that looks attractive, something that seems “progressive” or “tolerant,” when in reality, it’s pulling us further away from the truth of the gospel. Jesus Himself warned us about this when He said, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5). Today, we see many voices claiming to have “new truths” or “enlightened” perspectives, but if they don’t align with Scripture, we must be on guard.
But perhaps even more unsettling is the idea that Satan can also distort truth through religious leaders. Now, I’m not suggesting that all religious leaders are wrong or deceptive—not at all! There are many faithful men and women of God who are doing incredible work. But we can’t deny that there are also those who, knowingly or unknowingly, preach a distorted version of the gospel. Paul spoke about this in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, where he says, “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” Satan doesn’t always show up in obvious ways. Sometimes, he disguises himself as something good, something we’re drawn to. But if what’s being taught doesn’t line up with the Word of God, then it’s not from God at all.
The Bible tells us to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). In today’s world, this means being incredibly discerning about what we allow to influence us. Whether it’s a news report, a viral social media trend, or even a sermon, we need to test it against the unchanging truth of Scripture. Satan’s goal is always the same: to pull us away from God, to sow seeds of doubt, confusion, and falsehood. He might use the media to make us question our values. He might use culture to normalize sin. He might even use religious leaders to twist the gospel into something that’s more about self-help than salvation. But we have the Holy Spirit to guide us, and the Word of God to keep us anchored in truth.
As we navigate this world, we must be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 who “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” They didn’t just take someone’s word for it, even if that person was an apostle! They went back to Scripture. That’s what we need to do. We can’t just accept what culture, media, or even religious voices tell us without holding it up to the light of God’s Word. Satan is a master of disguise, but the truth of God is our greatest defense against his lies.
Think about where you’re getting your information. Are you allowing the media, culture, or certain influencers to shape your beliefs more than the Word of God? Today, ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern truth from deception. Don’t just take everything at face value—test it against Scripture. Remember, Satan’s goal is to distort the truth, but God’s truth never changes.
Encouragement
Stay vigilant and stay in the Word. You are not fighting this battle alone. The Holy Spirit is with you, guiding you into all truth. Let today be a reminder that God’s truth is the foundation upon which you stand, and nothing can shake you when you are rooted in Him.
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Amen.