Every relationship is built upon the character of those with whom you are engaged. In a business, if you discover that a colleague is a liar, you change your direction. You operate differently. I have dealt with compulsive liars before. You can take nothing at face value (you never trust what they say) and would not put them in positions to affect you or others.

I recently heard of a young man who walked into a convenience store, put a gun in the employee’s face and blew his head off. What can lead a man to do such a cold-blooded murder? One thing is for sure: he IS a murderer and must be dealt with in that way.

There is someone YOU deal with every single day who has such character and you must understand this. Jesus, the One who knows everyone’s character perfectly, described him for us this way:

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

Jesus used two very strong words to describe the devil: murderer, liar. In another passage He said that the devil is constantly trying to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). Peter said he is a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). What we may forget is that this enemy is “whispering” to us constantly throughout the day.

Augustine, the early church father, said in dealing with the pride that just about the time he finally conquers pride the devil will whisper in his ear something like this: “Your brother has just been made Bishop of Alexandria!” and he falls into pride again.

Whispers. That, in my humble experience, is what the enemy’s constant temptations are like. We think they’re just thoughts arising from our own heart (and some may be). But so often things will come to your mind that can only be attributed to the mind of a murderer and liar. We must be wise. We are not wrestling against flesh and blood enemies but “spiritual forces in high places” as Paul says (Ephesians 6).

Who is out to destroy you today? A murderer and a liar. Be aware…and treat him as such a force should be treated.