It came in the form of a text on my phone. It was a “warning that I had outstanding motor vehicle traffic tickets and that I failed to appear in court. An arrest warrant would be issued unless I paid $318 immediately by following their directions.”

I knew it wasn’t legitimate.

Our county Sheriff’s Department had issued a warning to our residents of this scam. I also looked up the area code where I allegedly was receiving traffic tickets for my apparent reckless and wild driving. The area code from which this text originated was Manhattan, New York. I live in Ohio near Cleveland. Believe me, I seldom drive any longer. I drive primarily just around my small neighborhood and very limited trips.

At first, this scam was little more than a nuisance and an annoyance. Then it made me mad. While I was not fooled this time, I wonder how many other folks would be terrified of an arrest warrant and pay the demands. It would be foolish to do so, you protest. I agree. But can’t you see the correlation between the lies of these scammers and the lies of the evil one?

The Lord Jesus powerfully reveals to us what we need to remember about the character of our spiritual enemy. He said to the rejectors in the crowd of people, “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father, ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). We see his wickedness in his fall (Isaiah 14:12-15). We see his wicked lying and insinuations in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5). The Apostle Paul gave us this powerful warning in Ephesians 6:10-11, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” He goes on to remind us that spiritual battles are real and that God has provided everything we need in that precious armor (Ephesians 6:12-18).

Dr. Mike, do you really believe in a real, literal fallen devil? Yes, I absolutely believe God’s Word.
Dr. Mike, do you really believe in a real, literal Garden of Eden? Yes, I absolutely believe God’s Word.
Dr. Mike, do you believe that people still fall for Satan’s lies? Yes, sadly I do.

No matter what thoughts come along to you today, no matter what emotions or feelings you might sense, may I honestly and lovingly encourage you to put your trust in what God has told us. We have His Word and can trust it completely, declare and depend upon it, and rest assured that God’s Word will never fail. As you are preparing to be on your way for today, please let me share one more Scripture verse with you. “Thy Word is true from the beginning: and every one of Thy righteous judgments endureth forever” (Psalm 119:160).