THE “QUIETNESS” OF THE DEVIL

There is an unusual character of the devil which we must never take for granted...he can sometimes be a patient devil. He knows by experience that patient pays, so he adopts the strategy of patience when haste fails him. The Bible says he looks for “opportune time” (Luke 4:13, RSV). There are times he waits so patiently not because it is typical of him, but as part of his schemes to get his work done. Sometimes one wonders, if the devil as fake and evil as he is can be patient, why do Christians get so impatient in waiting on God?

Many times he is there and patiently waiting so much so that except for spiritual discernment people may not know that the devil is behind what his happening. He can sometimes be quiet away from his renowned fierceness and aggressive nature, while other times he becomes patient in contrast to his hurriedly character.

For Abraham, the devil planted Hagar in that family and waited patiently for 10years for his seed to yield fruit. And once there was an opportunity, he suggested to Sarah and Sarah suggested to Abraham, and today it is history. It looked so much like the devil was innocent and had nothing to do with the whole thing but that’s him for you.

When Joseph was visiting his brothers on the field, suddenly some of his brothers said “let us kill him and lie to our father then we will see what becomes of his dreams” (Genesis 37:20, Paraphrased). It takes discernment to know that someone was behind those words, and it was the devil. See what he said, ‘kill’ and ‘lie’...these are his traits;

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10a)

“He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44).

So, when they were talking about killing and lying about Joseph, it was simply the faces of his brothers, but the voice of the enemy.

And if you notice, someone spoke out and spoke life; he said “let us not kill him. Shed no blood” (Genesis 37:21, 22). And another person spoke, “what profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood?” (Genesis 37:26). It was Judah that spoke this other time. Now, remember that Christ came from the tribe of Judah...I perceive He was the one speaking out here from the loins of Judah. He could no longer hold His peace, and He spoke to bring to nought the suggestion of the devil that Joseph should be killed. Glory!

Still about this unusual quietness and calmness that the devil employs most times against believers; there was a day that the sons of God gathered together to fellowship with God, and they had a quiet guest – the devil. He was so quiet and not talking so as not to draw attention until God exposed his presence and he found there was no place to hide anymore.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou?” (Job 1:6, 7a).

We must become alert and sensitive to this strategy of the enemy. He is aggressive, always in a haste to get his targets, but sometimes and especially against believers he tries quietness and gentle whispers and suggestions. He quietly fights what is good and sometimes you may not be quick to know he is behind it. He suggests that ‘no one is perfect and that a message you heard is too tough and the pastor was taking on you.’ In this state he makes suggestions that appear to be good. He even came through Peter and suggested to Jesus that dying was a bad idea. But thank God for Christ, he turned back and beheld it was the face of Peter, however He knew it was the voice of the enemy, and He responded; “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Matthew 6:23). These were the same words that Jesus used to him in the wilderness; “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan” (Luke 4:8a). He knew the voice of the devil so much so that He cannot mistake it.

Some issues happening in the church and in our lives that we often ignore and tag in some cases as “holy quarrels, holy anger, etc” might just be the other side of the enemy. May we grow in discernment. May we never give place to the devil. May God expose all his works and antics of deception in the church and in our lives. 

The quietness of the devil does not reflect stupidity...it is trouble waiting to happen. Let us be watchful as we keep praying. May the Lord help us in our preparations and readiness, and may we get home (in Heaven) safely in the end. Maranatha.