Introduction: Paul wrote the Corinthians that he was not “ignorant of Satan’s devices.” He told the Ephesians to stand against “the wiles of the Devil.” In our spiritual warfare with Satan, it will be helpful to us to know what are his goals, his motives and his methods. At the heart of his Satanic work lies a hatred of TRUTH. The very first piece of armor that Paul tells us to put on in our fight agains him is the “girdle of truth” (Ephesians 6:14).

I. Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life: John 7:32 reminds us that He was immediately in danger of being arrested and killed, just as soon as He announced His identity (Luke 4:28-30; John 5:18; 7:1,25; 8:59; 11:53-54 and so on).

II. The Heart of Evil is to re-define Good and Evil. Truth can be attacked in many ways, and we have a lot of words to describe the process: spin, exaggeration, denial, suppression, rejection, inversion and replacement to name a few. God’s enemies are very good at doing an evil deed and creating a confusing smoke-screen to make evil seem good, and to make those who oppose evil to seem bad. And if you point this out in public you will come under heavy attack. ILLUSTRATE: The Rev. Joe Wright, pastor of Witchita Christian Church, Kansas, prayed a prayer before the Kansas State House of Representatives on January 23, 1996:

“Heavenly Father, we come before you to ask your forgiveness. We seek your direction and your guidance. We know your word says, "Woe to those who call evil good." But that's what we've done.
We've lost our spiritual equilibrium. We have inverted our values. We have ridiculed the absolute truth of your word in the name of moral pluralism. We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism.

We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.

We've exploited the poor and called it a lottery. We've neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. In the name of choice, we have killed our unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed abortionists.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it taxes. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, oh, God, and know our hearts today. Try us. Show us any wickedness within us. Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of the State of Kansas, and that they have been ordained by you to govern this great state.

Grant them your wisdom to rule. May their decisions direct us to the center of your will. And, as we continue our prayer and as we come in out of the fog, give us clear minds to accomplish our goals as we begin this Legislature. For we pray in Jesus' name, Amen. “

There was quite a reaction! One legislator walked out in protest, four others gave speeches critical of Wright's prayer, and blasting what they called a "message of intolerance." The House Minority Leader asserted that the prayer "reflects extreme, radical views."

Rev. Wright said afterwards: "I certainly did not mean to be offensive to individuals, but I don't apologize for the truth.”

III. John 7 illustrates the “inverting” nature of the heart of evil, by pointing out that the ringleaders of the attempt to arrest and kill Jesus were the religious leaders, the Pharisees and the Chief Priests (John 7:32. They had a method to dispose of anyone who was sympathetic toward Jesus (John 7:45-52):

A. They charged believers with being deceived.
B. They emphasized that religious experts rejected Jesus.
C. They charged that believers did not know God’s Law.
D. They pronounced God’s curse on believers.
E. They accused believers of selfish motives.
F. They outright lied that no prophet could come from Galilee (Jonah did.)

IV. The Attack of Satan and Unbelievers against truth is documented numerous times in the Bible.

A. At the beginning of human history, Satan attacked God as untruthful, and deceived Eve.
B. Paul had his troubles with “false apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:12-15). Satan presents himself as an angel of light, and his ministers as “ministers of righteousness.”
C. The book of Romans is very descriptive of the attitude of the world toward God’s truth:

1. They “suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18).
2. They substitute lies for the truth (Romans 1:25).
3. They seek to expunge God from their minds (Romans 1:28).
4. They approve those who violate the truth (Romans 1:32).

Conclusion: The haters of God’s truth sought to arrest and kill Jesus, but they could not do it until God’s timing was right. As Christians in the 20th century we need to realize that the battle is still ongoing, and that we have a place in the battle for Truth. The heart of evil is the attempt to reverse truth and falsehood, good and evil. God says in Isaiah 5:20, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” It is our duty as God’s people to stand for TRUTH. There is such a thing as truth and falsehood. There is such a thing as right and wrong. There is such a thing as good and evil. Jesus is the TRUTH, and we must be determined to be loyal to Him, and to His Word. Amen.