Satan Crouching by the Church Door

I called at a place of worship recently. Although well bedecked by Christmas sparkle, some of the blue lighting effected rather eery impressions, as though other-worldly ones were present. An even stranger figure was sitting in the porch by the main door, below. A sign next to it explained that it was King Wenceslas of carolling fame, but the rather sinister face made me think of another being, crouching and lurking, looking for someone to devour.

I once heard it said that Satan attends church more than the average Christian. Although I think this a fitting rebuke to many believers who neglect the assembly, I think the prospect is fairly unlikely. Where the name of the Lord Jesus is held in high honour, the devil must surely hate and loathe everything that goes on. In those churches in which they speak about anything other than the gospel, I suspect he is as bored as I would be, but also content to move on and leave them to it, his work already done. Whether he or his minions crouch by doors and hide in porches, however, hoping to trip and ensnare those who pass in and out, I am not sure. The old saying is that we should tell the truth and shame the devil. If the Father of Lies detests the truth, he also hates godly fellowship, the hearing of faithful preaching and the equipping of the saints. So let him scowl and glower as you pass him to attend public worship; dismiss his reminders of your warm bed and the hard pews, and keep on going. Go, fellowship with the redeemed, and shame the devil.