By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Church on The Rock.

What if the greatest threat to our families, businesses, and personal peace isn’t a policy debate or a news headline, but an unseen force that seeks to destroy?

Is the Devil Real?

Pastor John Miller opened his new series, “Unmasked,” by turning to 1 Peter 5:8, warning listeners to “stay alert” because the devil prowls “like a roaring lion.” He framed the devil not as a metaphor but as a tangible enemy who seeks to “hinder, stop, destroy… your marriage, your witness, your business.” Miller acknowledged that many Christians today hear the word “spiritual attack” and wonder whether it’s merely a cultural metaphor. He countered, “The Bible teaches us very clearly that there is something behind this evil that’s in the world.”

To illustrate the point, Miller cited a Psychology Today article where a professor dismissed belief in the devil as “manifestly absurd.” He quoted the professor’s claim that only “a completely uninformed, poorly educated mind could believe in the devil.” Miller responded with Scripture, citing 2 Corinthians 4:4, which says Satan “has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.” This contrast set the stage for a deeper exploration of the spiritual conflict.

Where Did Evil Come From?

The pastor traced the origin of the devil to the biblical narrative of rebellion. He explained that Satan was a created being who, in the books of Ezekiel and Isaiah, declared, “I will be like the Most High,” and was cast out for pride. Miller noted that Satan “took likely a third of the angels of heaven with him,” forming a host of fallen angels that the Bible calls demons.

Using the story of Job, Miller illustrated how Satan can influence real-world events. He recounted how Satan obtained permission from God to test Job, sending a windstorm that destroyed Job’s property and a disease that afflicted him. “Satan sent an act of God by insurance companies,” Miller said, emphasizing that the biblical account shows the devil’s capacity to orchestrate tragedy while remaining under God’s sovereign control.

How to Resist the Enemy

Having established the reality and origin of the devil, Miller turned to practical resistance. He reminded listeners that “the blood of Jesus is more powerful than anything the devil can do,” and that believers have authority through the name of Jesus. He quoted Revelation, stating that victory comes “by the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and loving not our lives unto death.”

He also pointed to historical examples of triumph. When Stephen was stoned, Miller noted that “the heavens were open, and Stephen saw a vision of Jesus at the right hand of God.” That same event led to Saul’s conversion, turning a persecutor into the Apostle Paul, whom Miller called “the greatest apostle who ever lives.” These stories, he argued, demonstrate that even the most brutal attacks can become catalysts for divine purpose.

Finally, Miller urged Christians to be proactive: “Don’t be passive until it’s over. See it as an active fight.” He encouraged believers to stay vigilant, study Scripture, and share their testimony, because “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”

Why This Matters Today

The sermon linked current cultural crises—school shootings, abortion pills, gender confusion, drug addiction, and sex trafficking—to a spiritual battle narrative. By attributing these tragedies to a malevolent force, Miller offered a framework that moves beyond political explanations and places responsibility on personal and communal spiritual readiness. For listeners seeking meaning amid chaos, the message provides both a warning and a hopeful call to arms, emphasizing that the ultimate victory belongs to Christ and his followers.

The full episode of Church on The Rock is available on OBBM Network TV.