Jesus did not stutter when he called the devil the father of lies (John 8:44).  Jesus also stated very clearly that the devil is the one who deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9).  I believe he is still at work, trying to deceive us every day, and that his favorite place to spread lies is within the church.

He wants us to avoid meeting with the church believing that we are unworthy.

If we have children, he wants us to avoid church meetings believing that they will disturb others. 

He also wants us to believe that it is pointless to bring children to church because we will just spend all of our time trying to keep those little ones occupied and quiet.

He especially wants us to believe that it is silly to waste time attending Bible classes.

He wants us to believe that worship is a great time to talk and visit or be on your phone, especially during the Lord’s supper.

He wants us to believe that we should avoid singing because our voice is not pretty.

He wants us to believe that point of the sermon is for the other guy, and that sermons should always and only be entertaining, harmless, and short.

He wants us to believe that we make ourselves look smarter and more spiritual by criticizing the song leading, the praying, the sermons and Bible class lessons.

He wants us to believe that any time in church is best spent planning what we will do when it is over.

He wants us to believe that it is up to others in the church to make any visitors among us feel welcomed and appreciated.

Craziest of all, he wants us to believe that by believing his lies, we set ourselves above those who don’t believe them.

Be careful my brothers and sisters, the devil is going about like a roaring lion, seeking those who will allow him to devour them (1st Peter 5:8).