Imaginary Enemy: How We Have Imagined The Devil Into the Old Testament

Lucifer. Beelzebub. The Devil. Morning Star. Who is the Devil? What is he? Do we need to fear him? Does he even exist? Have we created an Imaginary Enemy? Peter Giesbrecht takes a look at the character of ＂The Devil＂ in the Old Testament. Each of the references to the Devil in the Old Testament are reviewed, expanded upon, and broken down; the Garden of Eden, the Story of Job, and David’s temptation to count the people of Israel are major stories in the Old Testament that have historically featured the Devil in traditional Protestant theology. PREFACE: This book has been the product of some of my own struggles in the last five years. As I have looked at Scripture in a light of desperation, of pain, and of hurt. When you go to many well- meaning Christians in times of suffering and pain, they will attribute the suffering you experience to one of two places: God or the Devil. We hear one of many variations of these phrases, ＂God knows whats best,＂ ＂Everything happens for a reason,＂ ＂We don’t know what God’s will is,＂＂We are all tempted by the Devil,＂ ＂The Devil hates a strong Christian,＂ ＂Jesus was tempted by the Devil, so we are too＂. These ’helpful’ bits of Christian trivia can be incredibly harmful to a healthy relationship with God.No matter how hard a trial we are facing, we will face those Christians who tell us it is the Devil who causes our suffering. In my Mennonite culture that I was raised in, everything was attributed to the Devil. A dead battery? The Devil did it. Have a panic attack? The Devil is testing you. Feeling drained and unwilling to go to church? The Devil is whispering in your ear. Having human emotions? Those are actually demonic.This sort of living is extremely stressful, and unhealthy for mind, body, and soul. I have consoled suicidal Christians who couldn’t take what they perceived as the Devil’s attacks any more. I have held a person who was catatonic with fear of Demonic power that they were told was inundating their life. These were not ’demonic attacks’ but instead human suffering that was amplified by the sheer terror of those in the Church that had told them that they were at the mercy of the Devil.This fearful form of Christianity, where we need to be constantly afraid of the power of evil overpowering us has far reaching effects. Why become a stronger Christian if those are the ones that the Devil targets? Why focus on Scripture if that’s when we will be tempted? What would possess us to become baptized if that simply triggers demonic attacks?Christian teachings like this will often harm those who are already struggling with something in their lives. Sadly, when they bring it to someone in the church, all too often they will hear that not only is this a demonic issue, but that this is what it means to be a Christian. Misinformation like this is often spread by eager, immature Christians that love the imagery of war and delight in the idea of ’defeating’ the Devil.However, Christ has already done that. In John 16:33 NIV Jesus declares, ＂I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.＂Jesus goal for us is not some fearful existence but a peaceful one. This peace is not built on the concept that we will not have struggles and troubles, but that He has overcome and will be with us. Our failings are not the fault of demonic sources, but the reality of living in a broken world. As such, we can go to God in confidence, knowing He desires us to have peace. He understands our broken state (Hebrews 4:15), and suffers with us. God has not abandoned us to fend for ourselves against some supernatural force of evil that lives forever and desires to consume us. On the contrary, He has taken care of sin, destroyed that which condemns us and wishes for us to live lives of peace and comfort in Him.Why then do so many preachers and spiritual leaders obsess over the Devil?