2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV) – And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Evil very rarely presents itself for what it really is. It disguises itself. This is how deception works. The evil one loves to masquerade as one who does good. He takes truth and distorts it. He counterfeits God’s presence and power. This is how many are deceived and led astray. It isn’t because they see clearly the evil before them. Most of the time they don’t. 

Our passage today reveals this truth. We read Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. This church dealt with sin issues and troubles because of the designs and schemes of the evil one. Paul wrote, “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 

Notice Paul tells the believers that Satan “disguises himself.” Why? Because he can’t show himself for who he truly is. Most people would flee from him and his schemes if they could see them for what they really are. But he doesn’t do that. The discovery of his real identity would spoil his schemes. 

What is meant by “angel of light” in the text? Paul tells us that Satan doesn’t just hide who he really is, but he masquerades as someone good. This happens in many ways, but there are several specific examples in our culture today. Satan presents ideologies that damn people as good and loving. He promotes sexuality outside of the boundaries of God’s design as loving. Many have embraced the ideology that says “love is love,” and an entire movement supporting perversions to God’s good design is celebrated. Even those who don’t engage in the actual sexual sin still become allies and promoters of the ideology because it garners them praise and virtue points in the culture. This is a perfect example of how Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 

In our world today, it requires discernment to judge whether something is from God or not. The best way a believer can do this is to measure everything against the Scriptures. Does it align with the Bible? Be careful even then not to let a distorted interpretation of the Bible be another example of Satan disguising himself as an angel of light.

Not everything that claims to be of God is.
Walk in community with others
so you are not alone to discern
what is the will of God.
Don’t let the evil one
disguise himself to you.

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Reflection & Journal:
- Why does Satan need to disguise himself?
- What are examples where Satan does this in our world today?
- How can you guard yourself against Satan’s schemes to do this?

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