I Peter 5:8 "Be sober be vigilant, for your adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour."
Two young men walked through the crowded streets of Boston on Patriot's Day. They were brothers who carried bomb laden backpacks. They looked like nice guys, like anyone's son or brother. No one noticed when they placed their bombs on the street. Those who cheered, as the final runners of the marathon crossed the finish line, had no idea of impending attack.
Reporting on the tragedy, the news media were puzzled how two such 'nice young men' could become terrorists. The nice young men were not losers, disadvantaged or marginalized. They were winners, well rewarded for their hard work in school and sports. They had good opportunities to succeed and to give back to a country that had treated them well. So how did these nice boys become terrorists?
How indeed? When it came time to choose which side they would be on, good or evil, they chose evil. No one will ever know why. Did the elder influence his younger brother? And who influenced him? Only God knows the whole story. Our text tells us to be on guard, aware the devil is a deceiver and destroyer. Sometimes he comes as a roaring lion. Other times he comes as an angel.
The terrorist's parent is quoted saying, "My son is a good boy. He is an angel." Lucifer was an angel who made bad choices. He became the devil, our enemy. Angels can become terrorists.
Remember. How you choose depends upon your own inner convictions and how you respond to outer influences. Inner convictions are what you choose to believe deep within yourself. Outer influences are who and what you chose to admire, listen to, and wish to be like. Don't be deceived.
Prayer: Lord, keep me vigilant, for my enemy, Satan, transforms himself into an angel of light. Jesus you came to do good and to deliver all those terrorized by the enemy.I choose you, Jesus. I believe "...for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (I John 3:8) Amen