Agents of Evil

Inspired by Amanda's poem, I have been thinking about agents of the evil one. In the past, I have compared the devil's handy work to that of the Emperor in Star Wars: Episode III. But Amanda's words lead me to the Bible.

"you" by Amanda Robertson

We all remember King Herod from the magi in Nativity story. He was a power-hungry, evil man willing to stop at nothing to keep his authority. Today is no different. There are always herods, people that are jealous of the light. They attack it, even try to destroy it by any means possible.

The magi were on a mission. They traveled across the land with a just purpose. They sought JESUS. They wanted to worship the child that would be King of the Jews. They came to honor Him, pay Him tribute, to give Him praise.

Herod was a vile and jealous man. He could not stand anything being honored but himself. He had to be the one in the limelight. Anything or anyone else was a threat... Even a little baby born in a cave. Herod hated the light and he would do anything to stomp it out.

What a snake! When the magi came to Herod seeking the mysteries of the star, he pretended to also want to meet the Christ-child.

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

Matthew 2:8

Sometimes the devil has agents that pretend to be seeking the truth. But in fact they are acting just like Herod. They sneak into the flock like a wolf in sheep's clothing. They pretend to be fellow seekers. But in fact they merely seek targets to attack and destroy.

But the Lord gave the magi wisdom, and they did not return to Herod to expose the location of the Christ-child. Instead they presented Him gifts and headed on their way.

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

Matthew 2:16

In the end, those jealous of the Light will do any dastardly deed to try and destroy it. But will not succeed.

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

John 3:19-21


Perhaps when you read these words you too have someone leap into your mind. Maybe you know someone that is a herod. But as Christ-followers we must be faithful and live by truth. There, in the light, the misdeeds of the agents of evil may be revealed.