We must become aware of the Kingdom of Darkness (sin). The King of Darkness is the Devil; and in his name is his key characteristic, which is to develop evil.

Much could be said about his character which God reveals to us through his names:

The first mention of Satan in the Bible as the serpent also mentions one of his key characteristics, "more subtle than any beast of the field." (Genesis 3:1) Satan doesn't come to us saying he will get us to follow him, but rather, "Why don't you do what you want to do?" He really means "instead of what God wants you to do." In this way if we walk in our own ways (doing our own thing), we are following him because we will be following down the path that he went.

Thus, the second pillar in the Kingdom of Darkness is the Flesh. Someone has said that if you want to know what the Flesh is, take the "H" off and turn the rest around which spells "SELF". The "H" could stand for him or her. Here again we see evil's way. Live for yourself. We hear it every day. "Do your own thing, man."

Satan was not satisfied in just going his own way and being evil himself, but he was determined to get all the angels following him and is determined to get all mankind to follow him through this subtle approach. This method has been very effective, and most people have been blinded by Satan following his paths of sin and defeat. Isaiah 53:6 tells us:

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Now we know that Satan operates as a spirit, and we cannot see him; but in order to communicate to man in an effective way, he likes to use visuals or teaching tools.

Thus, the third pillar in the Kingdom of Darkness is the World. It is used by him just like the Word of God is used by the Christians.

Satan uses people who are following him to convey messages of self-will to encourage others to become self-willed.

The World is his bible.

Today you can receive lessons on immorality, lying, stealing, manipulating people, and just about any evil subject you might imagine. Many times it is worked into what seems to be a love story or an otherwise good story in a subtle way to draw us away from God and cause us to do evil.

We have just talked about the Devil, and Flesh and the World. Many times even Christians say, "I don't think we should talk about these things." You can be sure Satan would like to work without being revealed; and if we fail to teach our children and young people his ways, he will be most successful. 1 John 4:4 says,

"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

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