Marsha's Musings: Satan is Alive and Well in The Church

My Quiet Time

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? (1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 ESV)

In Paul's distress he was comforted to hear the news from the Thessalonian      church that Timothy brought.

I wonder about my church?  Are other pastors encouraged by the news they hear coming from my church?  

What news would they hear?  Would they hear how we love each other and are patient with one another?  Would they hear that we encourage each other in The Lord?  Would they hear that we are content with what God has provided us?  Would there be news of bickering and a critical spirit among some of the members? Would they hear that some enjoy picking apart others under the guise of "just trying to help" them?  Would there be news of busy bodies in the church?

What would be reported about our church?  Would it be encouraging or would it be discouraging?

Okay, now I'm going to go to meddling here.  I believe that Satan does his best work within the church.  Why does he need to stir up discord in the secular world?  His work is already pretty much done there.  Just look at the newspapers!

But the church is a different place.  We are commanded to love each other and treat each other with Christian love and respect.  If this is what the world sees coming from churches, maybe unbelievers would be drawn in to see what is different.  But Satan works over time to stir up discord among believers because he knows if he can divide, he will conquer.  That is why the church is a battleground!  This is why there are so many casualties within the church...people are caving to Satan's schemes.  

What kind of things does Satan use to divide and conquer?

1. People being offended by others in the congregation & refusing to forgive

2. People offending other people by constantly picking at them, being legalistic, setting up their personal standards as the standard others should live by.

3. People nit-picking about how the church is run.  The preaching is too short, the breaks are too long, we shouldn't have decorations.  We should have service every Sunday night or we shouldn't have evening service at all.  You name it. If people can complain about it they will.

4. Power struggles.  People who think they should be in certain positions of leadership and take issue with those who may or may not be put in those positions of leadership.

5. Pastors who don't stick to the word of God.  Oh yes, they start out with a text, but then they are off on their own agenda for the next 20 minutes, often brow beating the people for not being more involved.  

6. People who have their own agenda and begin a campaign to systematically tear a good pastor down so they can get rid of him and bring in a preacher who will pander to people itching ears.

7. Preachers/leaders who kick good people out who ask too many questions when they see things are not right and who lie about those whom they have kicked out.

I could go on and on with this list.  These are all things I have seen and or experienced within the walls of various churches.  It is heartbreaking to say the least.  But it is a sign that Satan is alive and well for the time being and he is at work in the church.  

Are you being used as one of Satan's tools?  Stop and think about it.  What might you being doing that Satan just loves!  

Let's work together and love each other as we are commanded in Scripture.  Let's defeat Satan's schemes within our various congregations!