Every one of us, at one time or the other, has probably thought what we would do if we were someone other than our own selves. Children dream about being great ball players and other such things. In this article I would like to do a little day dreaming with you and pretend that I am the devil. And as we do this, I would like to suggest several things that I would do if I were the devil.

IF I WERE THE DEVIL, I WOULD KEEP YOU OUT OF THE CHURCH – My reasons for this are numerous. First, the church is composed of those who are saved (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:23). Once you have been added to the church, I no longer would have you in my power. Second, God is glorified through the church and I want nothing to do with him (Ephesians 3:21). Third, as the devil, I know that the church is responsible for the preaching of the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16), and I do not want that done. I fully understand the less that the gospel is preached the better off I will be. Fourth, as the devil I know that Christ is the head of the church and I want to keep you out of it so I can be your head (Ephesians 1:22, 23).

There are many ways in which I can accomplish this. I would argue that the church is non-essential. I would encourage ungodly living by its members, thus driving outsiders away. If this fails, I would tell everyone that one church is as good as another, when I know better. If all this fails, I would use my masterpiece, “Tomorrow,” knowing full well what the Bible says about it (James 4:14).

IF I WERE THE DEVIL, I WOULD GET CHRISTIANS BACK INTO THE WORLD – I have many reasons for doing this also. I know that it has worked in the past and I am sure it will work again. I know that if I am successful, those that I have allured away will be in worse condition than before (2 Peter 2:20-22). I have many ways of getting this done. I urge Christians to keep bad company. I whisper to you as I did to Eve, “Do as you please.” I educate authors on how to produce lurid literature, and get the courts to vote against God and in favor of pornography. I arrange it so that even a small child can obtain pornographic material. My agents will peddle narcotics.

IF I WERE THE DEVIL, I WOULD RENDER YOU WORTHLESS TO THE CHURCH – Here, too, I have many reasons for doing this. I know that it will weaken the church and its influence. I know that through this no fruit will be borne (John 15:8). Here, too, I have many ways of doing this. I will seek to keep Christians ignorant of the teachings of the Bible. I would whisper in your ears that Bible classes are not needed. Since I understand that one sermon a week will keep one weak, I will do all that I can to convince you that you need only to attend on Sunday morning, if nothing else gets in the way. I would discourage you from visiting the sick; after all they didn’t come see you. By all means I would work to convince you that you can’t do personal work. I would encourage you to not worry about whether or not you are good or bad, regardless of what the New Testament teaches (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

IF I WERE THE DEVIL, I WOULD DISRUPT WORSHIP – Of course, I have reasons for this. It turns people’s minds from God and keeps those who are not Christians from hearing the truth. It also makes a bad impression on the visitors. There are several ways that I would do this. I would have you to whisper during the services. I would encourage you not to sing, and then complain about how bad the singing was, knowing that Ephesians 5:19 is a command. I would have you sleep during services, maybe, if possible, even get you to snore. I would have you to talk, laugh, cut up, pass notes, and play with children. I would have someone walking the isles all the time with the pretense of going to the bathroom when I know, as well as God knows, they could wait. I know how Christians should worship God, and will do everything I can to disrupt it (John 4:24).

IF I WERE THE DEVIL, I WOULD CAUSE TROUBLE AND DIVISION – I would do that because I know that it will quickly render a congregation worthless to the cause of Christ in any community. I would do this because I know that it is “good and pleasant for brethren to dwell in unity.” (Psalm 133:1).

It can be easily seen that if I were the devil I wouldn’t do anything different than what he is already doing. It is sad to see his influence in the lives of so many who claim to be followers of Christ. I do not know who we think we are fooling, but I know one thing, it isn’t God!