Then Entered Satan

It was not only Judas whom Satan entered (Luke 22:23, John 13:27). Satan entered Simon Peter (Matthew 16:23, Mark 9:2), and Satan enters (to bring home the point) “them who say they are Christians but are the church of Satan” (Revelation 2:9, 3:9).

Now Satan is “a liar” (John 8:44), and very effective. He convinces by telling the misleading truth (Genesis 3:1–6) and quoting Church documents (Matthew 4:6). Adam and Eve fell, and even Jesus was tempted.

I don’t know if the subtle priest who says he believes “that places for worship become sacred when the celebrations of life-cycle events occur there” is lying or mistakes his God, who said He will come while the community is “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (Matthew 24:38); the difference is important to him and his confessor because speaking against the Spirit of truth (John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13, 1 John 4:6) is the one sin that is not forgiven (Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10; perhaps also Acts 5:1–10). I do know that by not seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and by not making arks (Genesis 6:14, Exodus 25:8–27:21) he savours not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men as he goes to and fro in the earth, and walks up and down in it (Job 1:7).