Do you know Swiper? Swiper from Nickelodeon’s TV series Dora the Explorer? It’s an animated TV show for children, and Swiper is the shows’ villain. He’s a conning little fox who normally steals possessions from Dora and Boots—Dora’s sidekick. Sometimes Dora and Boots are able to stop Swiper before he steals their things by saying “Swiper, No Swiping!” three times.
Other times, Swiper is just a little too crafty and sneaks up on Dora and Boots before they can say “Swiper, No Swiping!” three times. Once this happens, Swiper snatches their things and yells out “You’re too late!” I’ve seen the show numerous times … and one thing about that Swiper… he eventually swipes.
But I noticed something about Swiper the last time I watched the show with my daughter… something that bothered me even more than him being a thief. I noticed that in this particular episode when Swiper stole from Dora, he didn’t keep the stolen goods for himself. Instead, Swiper stole a key from Dora and tossed it in a field.
Now, I don’t remember whether Swiper always tosses what he steals or if he uses the stolen items for himself. But seeing Swiper steal Dora’s keys to only toss them away aggravated me. Because what’s the point of stealing if you can’t benefit from the stolen goods?
That would mean Swiper doesn’t steal for his own consumption. It would mean he steals just because he doesn’t want Dora and Boots to have their items. He steals just because he likes to see them miserable. He steals because it brings him joy to see them without. That’s the worst kind of thief.
Reminds you of anyone?
Whenever that fallen angel steals, kills, and destroys, what does it profit him? He can’t use the joy he steals. When he took everything from Job, it wasn’t as if he could use Job’s wealth and success for himself. When he tricked Adam and Eve, it wasn’t as if he destroyed their good living so that he could have it instead.
Nope.
Satan kills, steals, and destroys not for his own consumption. He steals just because he likes to see God’s children miserable. He steals because he is wicked. It brings him joy to bring God’s people’s pain… He is the worst, the absolute worst.
But what makes him beyond worst is the fact that the very thing he’s trying to keep us from, he has already experienced.
You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.
“You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.
(Ezekiel 28:13-15 NKJV)
Satan resided on the holy mountain of God adorned in beauty and wisdom. What didn’t he have? At one point, Satan had it all. We don’t know good living on the caliber Satan does. Satan knows superb living. He knows heavenly living.
And yet, he doesn’t want us to have what he once experienced. Why? I don’t rightly know. Misery loves company they say. Or maybe he gets joy out of knowing if he can sometimes keep God’s people away from God. Maybe he’s trying to hurt God the way it hurt him when he was kicked out of heaven. Again, I don’t rightly know why Satan is so hell-bent on being for the destruction of people.
But I do know that regardless of his reasoning, he is the worst. He’s always roaming, searching, watching for a way to destroy us. He’s subtle, quiet, and camouflages his wicked ways as if they are good. Crafty and wise is what the Bible describes him as. He’s a real enemy in real time. A spiritual being who operates in realms we can’t see yet yields results we can absolutely feel. He is the worst kind of enemy to have.
Ah! But…
He’s defeatable. For greater is He that is within us than he that is within the world (1 John 4:4). And if we resist the devil, he will flee from us (James 4:7). Not to mention, per Psalms 91:13, we will tread and trample on the serpent. And if we have on our proper equipment, we can deflect the enemies’ attacks (Ephesians 6:10-18). I haven’t even mentioned the angelic protection God provides as well (Psalms 91:11).
So, no matter how crafty, wise, and otherworldly he may be, we can remain protected. But please don’t go without your protection. You can be whipped! Badly. An evil spirit in Acts 19:15 knew the Jews who tried to cast him out wasn’t truly operating in God’s power. So, the spirit said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” The demon called their bluff and beat the crap out of them… no exaggeration.
Satan and his posse know if you’re real or not. You can fool people some time. But Satan? Those demons? They know the truth. They know the truth because they’ve experienced the truth. Lived with the truth. Walked beside the truth. They may be the worst, but they know the truth.
So, let us make a conscious decision to walk with, in, and beside the truth, which is Christ Jesus per John 14:6. Let’s avoid the worst by residing with the best. Satan knows he can’t touch us if we are in Christ. God promises to strengthen us and keep us from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Yet, we must do our due diligence in remaining in Christ. For with Christ, we are more than victorious, but without Him, Swiper may very well swipe.
I pray this reading has been a blessing to you. May the Lord bless you and keep you. I’ll see you at the same place, same time next week if the Lord says the same.
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Thanks 😊 for taking the time to share. I really enjoy your writings.
Love this!