What does the devil look like?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Yesterday our 9-year-old son tried to draw a picture of the devil, complete with horns and a pitchfork and red suit. But no one really knows what he looks like, do they? Does the Bible say? -- K.K.
A: No, the Bible doesn't tell us exactly what the devil looks like -- and with good reason, for he does not limit himself to a single image. Instead, Satan is a powerful spiritual being who pervades the whole creation -- far greater than any person.
For centuries people have tried to picture what Satan must look like, and I find it interesting that they almost always portray him as repulsive and evil and violent. He is not as powerful as God, nor is he eternal like God -- and someday his power will come to an end. But don't limit him to any mental image you may have of a pitchfork-carrying person in a red suit. Anything that pictures him as cute or harmless is misleading; he is anything but harmless.
At the same time, the Bible does tell us that at times Satan and his demons may take on human form. In his attempts to deceive us into following him, the Bible says, he may even try to make us think he is a messenger from God. The Bible says, "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Satan's main goal is to keep us from Christ -- because he knows only Christ can deliver us from Hell and take us safely to Heaven. Is your faith and hope in Christ -- and are you teaching your children about Him as well? The Bible says, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
