The Great Lie 

   “The essence of God is existence, and He defines Himself as: ‘I am Who am.’  The essence of the devil is the lie, and he defines himself as: ‘I am who am not.’” (Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, “The Wisdom of Fulton Sheen: 365 days of inspiration by Fulton Sheen”) 

   St. Peter warns us “Your opponent the devil is prowling about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).  Those who deny Satan's existence have already been consumed.

   To say the devil doesn’t exist is tantamount to saying that God doesn’t exist.  Perhaps that’s the point.  Someone in denial of God’s existence can’t find God in their life; they don’t even look for Him.  What a useful lie Satan has concocted in convincing so many that he is a myth and not real.

   I think people refuse to acknowledge the existence of Satan because to do so they must also accept that God exists, and if God and Satan exist then good and evil exist.  If good and evil exist then we must recognize that evil should be punished and good praised and rewarded.

   The world is full of lies but this is the greatest.  Other lies can do great harm in this life but if we refuse to acknowledge Satan, and therefore evil, we are refusing the eternal happiness God has planned for each of us.

   Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  That is truth, that is hope, that is salvation. 

Never let us believe the lies of Satan.

You are the truth that saves.

Help us see Your truth always. 

Amen