In Acts 19:24, we see Satan influencing a craftsman who made silver shrines of the pagan goddess Diana. He became alarmed at those who recognized that the miracle of Acts 19:13-20 was from God, quit worshipping Diana, and turned to Christ.

Fearful of losing his profits, he stirred up others of his and similar occupations against Paul and his companions. As is the case with many today, it wasn’t a matter of honoring their imagined gods, but fear of suffering the loss of their prosperous lifestyle. Satan knows how easy it is to gain followers who put money first in their lives.

The city clerk calmed the mob that had assembled, telling them they should follow the law and let their complaint be decided in court, but they were subject to having to answer for their disturbance of the peace. He then sent them away. (19:35-41).

Next, we find Paul going to Macedonia and then Greece. Satan stirred up the Jews there also, and they plotted against Paul. Wherever God’s people go with the word of salvation, Satan seeks to stir up opposition.

He does that today by convincing all he can that there is no God. Those not convinced of that, he seeks to convince that the Bible is not the word of God. Those he cannot convince of that, he seeks to convince that the Bible is not to be taken literally and that the miracles of the Bible can be explained in natural terms. Those unconvinced of that, he seeks to convince that they can’t really understand the Bible, so, even though there is a God, and the Bible is the word of God, and some of it is to be believed, it doesn’t have to be followed. And so, he affects most who think of themselves as believers. He has an answer to satisfy the majority. Whatever one believes is okay; it makes no difference what, as long as they don’t think what others believe is wrong.

Most have accepted a false idea of tolerance to the exclusion of God’s law; some even teaching Christians are not under any “law.” But, Christ has a law (Galatians 6:2). If all of these believed and taught the same thing, they would be together as God desires, but they are not together; each has their own ideas that are put before God’s way. This is Satan’s doing. God does not teach such.

Do you doubt this is Satan’s doing? Read the passage from 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 that tells us of the necessity of knowing the truth and loving the truth God has revealed, and the consequences of not doing so. It is a fundamental spiritual necessity. Don’t allow Satan to take away your love for the truth.

Questions To Aid Your Spiritual Growth:
1. Do those who put money first in their lives become easy followers of Satan?
2. What are some of the ways Satan influences people today?
3. What are the consequences of failing to love and believe God’s revealed truth?