It is a real art of the devil that he blinds men. That’s where he has his greatest strength, and he always uses the tactic of lying. In our day he has gotten many to believe that he doesn’t even exist. They are trapped in the unhappy service of sin. They live in pride, selfishness, and all ungodliness; they wear the mark of the devil on their forehead – but they laugh at you for believing that there is a devil. Could he have a more secure hold on his people or carry out his plans any better?
Only Jesus can free us from the devil’s kingdom. He is the One stronger than the strong one. But the weapon is God’s Word. It exposes Satan’s lies and reveals his wicked purpose. It shows his abominable filthiness and his hellish tyranny and teaches us to recognize man’s unhappy condition in his service. With His Word the Lord drove the devil out of those who were bodily possessed, and with His Word He drives him out of human hearts. When His Word, which is spirit and life, abides in you, then the spirit of lies and death cannot abide in you. When the Word from the Lord’s mouth governs your heart and your tongue, then you serve Christ and reject the devil. And this is the Lord’s Word: God loves you, a lost and condemned sinner. Christ died for you and has made the devil powerless. You are baptized in His victory and righteousness, and you belong to Him, so the devil has nothing to say over you. Blessed are you if you hear and keep this Word. Then in truth you have what the Word says, and the Word shall keep you from falling back into the enemy’s power.
Bishop Nils Jakob Laache (1831-1892), “Book of Family Prayer”, p. 224-225