Something surprising about satan

Sinning sure sounds like fun.

We set aside our favorite sins and keep them secret because those sins seem like the most fun. Even if we ask God to forgive us, that prayer might be a little half-hearted, because the other half of our heart isn't willing or ready to give up our "little" most-fun sins.

We might even feel a little uncomfortable recognizing that, given the chance, we can hardly wait to have another go and indulge in our favorite sin.

Yup, we're convinced that not only is our favorite sin FUN ... but also that our favorite sin ain't really or is just a little sinning.

Here's the deal: it's funny as heck picturing the devil as a red-suited little cartoon guy with horns and a pitchfork who sits on one shoulder (opposite the cherub on the far side) whispering "Come on, who's gonna know? Go ahead and do it ... you know you want to."

But scripture, not pop psychology or the latest best seller, is God's authoritative word: the enemy is real (so are demons), and he's deceptively dangerous, determined and deadly.

When we're struggling with temptation, satan doesn't throw brimstone on the fire and ask "Who's it gonna hurt?" because he's right and the Bible's wrong. Or because he's actually a nice guy, like a long-lost friend or distant uncle, who only wants us to "be happy" or see us "enjoy life" and "have fun."

Nope, that's not what the enemy's about at all. He tells us A little sin is an OK sin because Surprise! ... Satan hates us.

He's thrilled and loves seeing us tormented and suffering as a consequence of our sins. Especially when that suffering could easily have been avoided by listening to God instead ... even if hearing Him didn't sound like as much fun as listening to satan did at the time.

The truth is that the enemy hates us so much he wants to see every one of us suffering for eternity beside him. Does that kinda change the image of a cartoon guy into a creature that's really, really hateful and evil?

The enemy and his buds encourage our little sins by whispering Who's it gonna hurt, Who's gonna know, and You know you want to all sound good, "normal" and even "healthy" ... because satan's the father of lies. And like all proud fathers, satan likes having his kids around.

The enemy pretends to be sympathetic and "on our side" to make it easier to convince us our little sins aren't hurting anybody.

Even though "It's a little sin!" is a BIG lie and one of his favorites .

After all, the lie we're most vulnerable to is the lie we're most eager and anxious to believe.