Kony and the Devil
Have you wondered what the Devil would look like if he took human form? And if he did, what would he be doing?
Touring with (ahem) "Lady" Gaga?
Fomenting ethnic cleansing?
Planting Satanic churches?
Or…would he target, capture, and force children to serve him for violent purposes?
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That's what Joseph Kony does. Just a week ago, not many knew the story behind the leader of The Lord's Resistance Army (or LRU) in Uganda. But chances are if you're one of the 17 trillion people who use Facebook, at least 2-3 people have posted the video called Kony 2012.
If you've not seen it, it is basically a documentary designed to make Kony "famous" in a bad way so that he'll be captured and brought to justice. Kony 2012 went crazy viral just a few days after its posting on YouTube and Vimeo, and it has garnered the support of some big time celebs.
And yes, I think Joseph Kony is about the closest thing we have on this earth to Satan in human form. There are many evil people on the planet, but when you target innocent children, it obviously crosses a line that should infuriate and enrage even the most callous of hearts.
It's inspiring to see so many people rally behind the righteous cause of defending young people from horrifying evil, and while we are on this topic, may I suggest adding another campaign against atrocities that are being perpetrated far beyond Uganda? Here's how God's Word describes the General of this army which is seeking to spread evil and destruction on a worldwide scale:
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
Satan is a spiritual war criminal who will one day be brought to justice, but in the meantime he is a ferocious monster who lurks and stalks unsuspecting people so he can enslave them into his violent purposes.
And like Joseph Kony, his main target is children.
Why? Easy…
Did you know that 85% of people who trust in Jesus as their only hope of salvation make that commitment before the age of 18? This means that the Devil must be more than hell bent on deceiving, distracting and destroying the children on this planet before they have a chance to respond to the gospel.
He deceives children into thinking that following Christ is boring and uptight - but Jesus said He came to this world to give us "real and eternal life, more and better life than we ever dreamed of!" (John 10:10).
He distracts teenagers with youthful lusts that lead them directly into the lion's den of shame and regret - but Jesus promised that "captives will be released, the blind will see, and the oppressed will be set free" (Luke 4:18).
And…Satan destroys lives on a daily basis through depression, guilt, and regret - but thanks be to God that "anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
How incredible it is to see YouTube used to get the word out about this vile and disgusting dictator who is responsible for the Invisible Children, but how much more amazing is it to be a part of THE Cause of Christ - to make disciples who make disciples?
Listen…you don't have to hop on a plane and travel to a distant jungle to be a part of bringing down evil. Just look around at your fellow students and get involved in "rescuing any who need to be saved as you would rescue someone from a fire!" (Jude 1:23). These are the "visible" children who are being harassed and assaulted by the enemy of their souls on a daily basis.
The critics of the Kony 2012 video accuse it of being a "slackumentary" - in other words it will raise awareness and get people emotionally riled up - but when the fire of the feelings fade, very little actual change will have taken place.
Let's NOT let that happen in the spiritual realm as we seek to live for THE Cause and battle against Satan and his dark forces. By sharing Jesus' message with others, YOU have the ability to impact the spiritual realm for all eternity!
My prayer is that you don't walk away simply feeling provoked at the Devil - rather that your furious emotions would kindle a holy fire that drives you each day to share the liberating message of the gospel. This nation and your friends need all of us to see each day as a battle for souls in our fight with Satan and his army.
Are you in?
