I remember growing up watching those movies and T.V. shows where there is a definite theme of good vs. evil. I would pretend I was Wonder Woman or one of Charlie’s Angels chasing the bad guys. I cheered on Daniel LaRusso in the original Karate Kid and rooted for the girl being bullied by the mean girls. Unfortunately, this theme of good vs. evil isn’t just a topic picked to make movies more interesting. It is an issue that we live with on a daily basis in real life. We choose on a daily basis good vs. evil, heaven vs. hell, purity vs. sin, or God vs. Satan. It’s a choice that we all have to make. Will we serve God or will we serve the world (Satan)? Will we have a relationship with God or will we have a relationship with the world (Satan)? There is no escaping this decision, because when we die we will either go to heaven or we will go to hell.
I was raised in church and even when I was young I never really considered a life separate from God. I was baptized when I was nine and although I didn’t always live according to God’s will, I always knew that I wanted (I needed) a relationship with God. When I compare the characteristics of God to the characteristics of Satan, the decision is easy.
The characteristics of God:
God is love (1 John 4:8)
God is peace (Ephesians 2:14)
God is joy (Nehemiah 8:10)
God is compassionate (Psalm 116:5)
God is forgiving (Daniel 9:9)
God is a God of justice (Isaiah 30:18)
God is our refuge (Psalm 46:1)
The characteristics of Satan:
Satan is the evil one (1 John 2:13)
Satan is the deceiver (2 Corinthians 11:14, Genesis 3:13)
Satan is a schemer (Ephesians 6:11)
Satan is a murderer (John 8:44)
Satan is a liar (John 8:44)
Satan is wicked, violent and proud (Ezekiel 28:14-18)
Satan tempts us to sin (1 Corinthians 7:5)
In this life, we have to choose God or Satan. We have to choose to have a relationship with the God of the universe who loves us or the deceiver of the world who causes chaos and violence. John 3:16 tells us that God loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins so that we can have eternal life in heaven with Him. 1 Peter 5:8-9 tells us that our enemy (Satan) prowls around looking for someone to devour.
Even though I was raised in the Church, I came to a point where I had to make the decision for myself, who I would serve. It was never a question for me who I would serve. I knew enough of God’s goodness to choose to serve Him always. God has blessed me in so many ways over the last 21 years as a single mom. Is life always perfect? Absolutely not. There have been dark days when I thought that God had left me. He had not. When I focus on Him and not on my situation I feel His presence and His peace. God loves me. Satan wants to destroy me. Why serve someone who wants to destroy me? I believe in what the Bible tells me. I have felt the love of God in my life. I have seen God answer my prayers and I have the faith to believe in what I can’t see. I also see the hatred, the anger and the violence caused by the Devil. I see the fighting in the streets, the division of God’s people, and the killing of innocent lives. This is all at the hands of Satan. Why would I serve or be in a relationship with someone like that? Why would you? I choose to serve God. I choose to be in a relationship with God.
Who are you currently serving (God or the world (Satan))? Why?
Reflect on the characteristics of God and Satan.
Does knowing the characteristics of both change your mind in either direction? Why?
Now that you have a different perspective on serving God or Satan, what are your thoughts?
If you have been in a relationship with the world, I want you to reflect on how that has been for you.
Are you struggling with sin?
Are you trying to fill a void that nothing on this earth can fill?
Are you willing to give God a chance?
If you do not have a relationship with God or do not believe in God, I challenge you to give Him a chance. Pray and start a conversation with Him. Open the Bible and let His word breathe His LIFE into you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Patti Burris 