Author Darlene J. Conard

An acquaintance of mine, with a thoughtful expression on his face, remarked, “I don’t believe in Satan. Do you know why?” Intrigued by his statement, I felt a surge of curiosity. I wanted to unravel his perspective and to understand the reasoning behind his belief. I wondered how he could articulate his belief using Biblical references to support his viewpoint. “No,” I said, shaking my head slowly, my brow furrowing with a mix of curiosity and determination. Gathering my thoughts, I prepared to ask the question that would finally unlock the truth behind his guarded expression. As if in a stare down, I asked, “Why?”

“Because I choose not to believe in Satan.” I thought his answer would be, “I don’t believe the way he wants me to,” or, “I don’t believe he will win when we are truly trying.” His answer was, “Because I choose not to believe the devil is real.” It doesn’t work that way, “Nothing to see here!” This is not a feel-good message; it’s to awaken those in a spiritual slumber.

Paul Harvey made a dark declaration,“If I were the devil … If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of its real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee. So I’d set about, however necessary, to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first — I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.

To the young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’ And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…

And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

If I were the devil, I’d soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves, until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings, I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames. If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions — just let those run wild, until, before you knew it, you’d have to have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

Within a decade, I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography — soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches, I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil, I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

If I were the devil, I’d take from those who have and give to those who want until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.

And what do you bet I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich? I would caution against extremes and hard work in Patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on TV is the way to be. And thus, I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. In other words, if I were the devil, I’d just keep right on doing what he’s doing.”

This viewpoint originated from an individual who went through an awakening, highlighting the deterioration of morals and spirituality in America. However, this decline is occurring on a global scale. His goal was to raise awareness about the risks associated with deviating from core moral principles and the potential repercussions of such a decline. Harvey’s essay acted as a cautionary message to audiences regarding the weakening of traditional values and the importance of upholding a strong moral foundation in society.

The problem is, many choose to close their eyes and ignore that Satan is freely striding in wherever he pleases. Get ready, because Satan believes more than we do and knows what God can and will do more than we believe.

This is not ending in our defeat as long as we allow God’s holy salve to be applied to our eyes.  

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:18 KJV

Feel free to forward it to anyone you wish.  My mission is to encourage everyone to follow our Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. ©Darlene J. Conard Vision Ministries 2024.   This may not be republished or used without the author’s written consent. The photograph is AI-generated. Darlene J. Conard is also affiliated with Glory Carrier Ministries.

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