People today have become more brazen in their actions. Most believe that our country, the United States is a nation of laws. Seemingly law and order is maintained by police officers and judges dispense justice to people without regard to race creed or the amount of money a person has. If you believe that, I can sell you anything! The truth is: enough money can buy your freedom from most any crime or at worst a limited penalty from our justice system. Don't people live with calloused disregard for law enforcement agencies and a contempt for our perverted justice system?

It's not just seeming law-abiding citizens that break the rules with impunity; criminals do the same. It used to be that a person robbing a store would cover his face to conceal his identity from hidden cameras. No more. Nightly television news plays video coverage of robbers who point guns at store clerks or even shoot them on camera while the announcer promises money to anyone who can help ID the crooks. But what we and the robbers all know is even if caught, those criminals will probably be out on the street before the same news announces their capture.

At one time, Satan hid his actions. But today, he has become as brazen as any unveiled store robber. Sadly, regardless of what he's up to, even some Christians have difficulty determining what he's doing, how he's doing it and what he hopes to accomplish. Scripture points out that Satan doesn't hide himself anymore. Instead, he does about his daily work under the guise of doing it for a godly reason and at worst, a worthy cause.

Paul's words to the Corinthians were spoken to alert them to the fact everything that looks good isn't always good. That sounds simple enough until you realize that he was warning them of evil preachers who claimed to doing God's work but weren't.

It's a good thing to listen to what preachers and teachers say. But it takes godly discernment to see behind the veil and recognize who is pulling the strings behind the saintly-looking mask some preachers wear. So it's important to understand Paul's conclusion to the matter because sometime even the righteous can be fooled bythe face Satan uses.

I'm not sure who said it, but Paul's gave his assessment of those who are duped by Satan's seemingly preachy looks. He said those who listen and follow the instruction of any deceitful hand-puppet of Satan will get what they deserve: the same fate Satan and his worker(s) get.

Summing up, I've heard all this before, but it wasn't in the context of Scripture. It's an old saying you've probably also heard. It goes like this: Stupid is as stupid does!

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Is. 3:1-5:30 2 Co. 11:1-15 Ps. 53:1-6 Pr. 22:28-29 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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