On Sunday, Anglican Bishop Fanuel Magangani of Northern Malawi visited my church. He told us that in Africa, people still have a superstitious nature. It is easy for them to see demons with red faces and horns, and to have visions of angels in glowing white. It is not a leap of faith for them to see miraculous healing taking place. In fact, our missionary team just came back from there about six weeks ago and told us how they’d been vessels of healing, both physically and spiritually.
The Bishop said that in more technologically modern countries, the demons must be more clever. Because we are so scientific and logical in thought, the devil must find other ways to fool us. Subtle ways that seems logical, like the stories in the Bible could never have scientifically happened. They must be metaphors. Or, we need to reinterpret Biblical Truths to fit our modern era. Even that logically, the devil doesn’t exist. It is all neuro-stimuli and hormone balances in our brains.
He smiled and said, “Here in your country, the devil wears a business suit.”
Think about that for a minute. I have – a lot.
I don’t think he was slamming modern business men and women. I think he was saying that by wearing a suit, a person often exudes authority and a successful lifestyle, A person called “a suit” is expected to be knowledgeable, and perhaps, to be admired. They represent power, wealth, and the logical, educated mind. They are also innovative, clever, and yes, they can step on backs as they climb the ladder to success – which is more and more an admirable achievement in the business world today. But, that type of attitude is very ‘me-centered” and relies on one’s own gumption and smarts. It can also stir up emotions of greed, envy and jealousy. That is fertile ground for the devil.
But, Christian bushiness men and women wear suits as well. Each day they live out their lives trying to be obedient to Christ. Their actions portray trustworthiness, honor, fair dealing and giving sacrificially of their time and talents. They will take off their coat to help a widow change a flat tire, or give half the suits in their closets for the unemployed to dress well for an interview. They will whip out their checkbook as they blink back a tear when they hear a missionary’s testimony and roll up their sleeves to serve in a soup kitchen
The difference? Under their suit is the armor of God. And, it is drenched in the Blood of the Lamb. Take to heart what Paul says in Ephesians 4:22-24: put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
No matter if you wear a name on your shirt or have it on the corner office door, being Christ in today’s business world isn’t easy. There are a lot of demons out there wearing suits (and, by the way, blue collar uniforms and jeans as well). Be sure to dress in your armor each morning before you head out the door. And, if you display a Fish symbol on your business cards, your lapel or your car, then please act the way Jesus would as much as possible in public and in private. Don’t give the devil a chance.
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