It's Just a Prop

As many of you know I lost a friend named Ryan from high school this past week due to drug addiction. I’ve been somewhat overwhelmed processing that, working through memories—watching my classmates mourn the loss of a friend, and seeing Ryan’s parents’ devastation as they endure unimaginable pain and suffering, impossible to prepare for or make sense of. My heart still hurts.

In a conversation with a friend concerning this tragedy, something was said that the Lord has been bringing to my mind repeatedly. I have learned and continue to see it proven true that addiction can happen to anyone and it is no respecter of persons. Matter of fact, it could be you or me next week, and so we should be slow to condemn or criticize. The thing that was said to me that I haven’t been able to shake is that in this situation and in others like it, the drug alone is not the issue, our enemy is. His name is Satan, and he is as real as God is. He is by no means any match for our God, but he is an unbeatable opponent for sinners like you and me without the power of the Holy Spirit. In the words of my friend, “The drug was just a prop.” A prop used by our enemy to stand behind, to disguise himself and deceive, living up to his wicked character and reputation.

I cannot tell you how true this is. First, I know it to be true because the authority of the written word of God clearly details the schemes and tactics of our adversary.

...so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. (2 Cor. 2:11)

…He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world… (Rev. 12:9)

Secondly, I know this to be true by personal experience. And I bet you do too.This adversary of ours seeks nothing but our harm, our sorrow, our guilt, our shame… and further, to disrupt mankind from enjoying the peace and pleasure of God, for the glory of God.

We all find ourselves caught up in a live drama, a heroic tale. There is only one hero—His name is Jesus. You and I are far from the hero, and yet the moment we mistake our role in this story, the moment we take the script out of our Hero’s hand, the enemy further deceives us, frequently with the use of a prop. The thing is, he hides behind many props- substance, relationship, job, Facebook, pornography etc… Notice, some of the props Satan uses are not bad things in and of themselves. But, in partnership with our lack of self-control, he’ll use anything and everything to ruin our relationship with God and with our family and friends. In the life of the Christian, he’ll resort to anything to derail and distract you from the mission of reaching the lost with the gospel. For the unsaved, he’ll strategize a plan to keep you satisfied with life as is or maybe to turn your attention to something that offers salvation, but never will.

So I think it’s worth asking: “What’s the prop in your life?” What is the enemy using to divert your attention from our all-satisfying God? From time in His word, in prayer, and to being a witness? What is Satan’s tactic in causing you to question the goodness of God, or question His presence and the perfection of His plan for you? The reality is, the props Satan uses in our lives can be BIG things, but commonly they are small, subtle, and even unrecognizable. If you or I distance ourselves from Jesus, take the script in hand so to speak; we are far more vulnerable to the stage props used by our enemy— far more likely to sin.

I’m doing some examination, and I encourage you to do the same. Only Jesus satisfies and only He is our rescue, our hope, and reason for life. I have tasted and seen that He is good. Have you? If you and I will ask God to reveal to us the sin in our life, choose to confess it, and repent (turn away), He will restore to us the joy of our salvation. And if you read this and admit you’re a victim to the schemes and tricks (props) of the devil and his associates, and have never trusted the Savior, please take the words of Jesus to heart:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

… because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

Pastor Michael