Is The Devil In Your Church?

For some reason many church leaders and church members have incorrectly assumed that just because the church belongs to God the devil will leave it alone.  They are wrong.  In fact, this makes the church even more likely to be attacked because the devil is opposed to all things that are Holy, right, pleasing, and praiseworthy.  He wants to destroy your church I promise.  Others know he is there, they see him working but they refuse to confront the issue or admit that there is a problem, once again incorrectly assuming that the devil will just get tired and leave.   The fact of the matter is, the devil is either in your church or trying to get in. Scripture declares that he was present and at work in no fewer than 7 New Testament churches. Paul also indicated that there was a good possibility that he was at work in an eighth church as well.    

1)   Jerusalem Acts 5:1–10

2)   Corinth 2 Cor. 2:1–11

3)   Ephesus 1 Tim. 3:6–7

4)   Smyrna Rev. 2:9–10

5)   Pergamum  Rev. 2:13

6)   Thyatira Rev. 2:24

7)   Philadelphia Rev. 3:9
8)  Thessalonica- 1 Thess 3:5- He knew that “the tempter” (i.e., Satan; cf. Mt 4:3) had been at work among them and that God permits the enemy this activity. What Paul did not know about the Thessalonians, however, was whether or not the tempter’s solicitations had been successful, making his work and that of his colleagues “useless.”1

   If he attacked and attempted to destroy these churches why would he not attack yours?  The fact of the matter is, the devil is at work and he will destroy not only individual believers, but the churches that seek to honor God as well.  Be on your guard, help protect your church, because the enemy is on the prowl.



1. Kenneth L. Barker and John R. Kohlenberger, eds. Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), n.p.