Satan wins by making us comfortable

I was recently listening to an old John Piper sermon (highly recommended: Christ in Combat- Defense by the Spirit," March 18, 1984). He stated "People sometimes ask why, if Satan is real, we don't see more demon possession and exorcisms in America. I have an idea. Satan holds American Christianity so tightly in the vice-grip of comfort and wealth that he's not about to tip his hand with too much demonic tomfoolery."

As a Christian, I am often quick to associate various pleasures with blessing from God. But this statement gives me pause and rings with truth. How many of my sins with which I struggle are related to comfort and security? Satan could be pleased no more than when I am too comfortable to seek the face of God. Are we resting with tummies full and faces smiling as we bask in worldly pleasures?

Did our heroes of the Bible seek God's face out of positions of comfort, or did they see God through hardship? John the Baptist lived in the desert and ate a diet of locusts and honey (AND wore an itchy robe all the time!) Paul was flogged, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and often cold and hungry. Joseph was sold by those he loved into slavery. The list goes on and on. I can't in fact, think of a single Bible hero who had it easy. Can you? And these people, who were willing to trust in the Lord while they endured difficulties, were the ones he saw fit to use for his good purposes.

I pray (with thankfulness because I know he WILL!) that as I lay down my "right/need" for pleasures that are worldly, God will continue to amaze me with his grace.