A thought came to me the other day while reading some Facebook posts and various news articles about the COVID-19 pandemic. It occurred to me that the pandemic operates much like the enemy of this world (Satan). (For simplicity the COVID virus and pandemic will be used as one and the same.)
Like Satan, the pandemic is world wide. Spreading distrust and deceit to bring disunity among God‘s people. Satan’s main purpose is to lead us away from God. The pandemic has reached into every area of life affecting the way we live, work and most importantly the way we worship. We are afraid to do ministry and worship together corporately.
Satan creates fear and anxiety through lies and deception. Fueled by the conflicting reports on the news and directions from government officials. The pandemic has consumed many to the brink of exhaustion with fear and anxiety, through misinformation and pride.
Satan seeks to destroy us through idleness and boredom, because in these times we are vulnerable to his suggestions and temptations. The pandemic has caused us to hunker down at home hardly going out and doing anything. Many adults are jobless and children are schooless. We have more idle time on our hands now than ever before. Because of this the divorce rates are 34% higher during the pandemic, according to Fox News. Also according to The Recovery Village, drug and alcohol use is up 30-40%. In fact you can name any addiction or destructive behavior and search it on the internet and find article after article on the increase of its use, because of the pandemic.
Satan is not picky about who he destroys or who he possesses. However, he is happiest when he can do one or both to God’s people. The pandemic can and does affect any and everyone.
Finally, like Satan the pandemic and its affect on our lives is a living reality, whether we believe in it or not.
Something to think about this Op-Ed. It doesn’t pick one side or the other. But I’m willing to bet that both sides will think this article is speaking about the other side.
