George Barna is founder and president of the Barna Research Group. Just a few years ago this research group took an annual survey of American values and religious views across the United States. From the data Barna put out a book by the title, What Americans Believe. If you have ever doubted the effect that Satan has on our country, then pay close attention to the statistics quoted from his survey. There were two survey questions that
revealed startling information concerning the beliefs of most (and I emphasize most) Americans. First, Barna’s
survey showed that two-thirds (or 67% to be exact) of all Americans deny that absolute truth exists. It is interesting that 72% (3/4) of all Americans between ages 18 and 25 agreed that one could not know absolute truth. No wonder we can’t convert the younger generation.These young people agreed with the statement: “different people can define truth in conflicting ways and still be correct.” Brethren, this is one of the most erroneous doctrines that can be taught among men. Notice that this doctrine is not applied to anything other than religion. For example: in math, 2+2=4 and 2x6=12. These are absolutes that no one chooses to change. In science, our planet earth revolves around the sun. This is an absolute that no one denies. It is only in religion that Satan has managed to confuse men into thinking that they can’t know truth. The second statistics is just as alarming. It reveals that 60% of all adult Americans do not believe that Satan is a real being, but is simply a symbol of evil.  The scripture warns us to beware of Satan and his ploys to overcome mankind
(Matthew 13:39; Ephesians 4:26-27; 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8). Other scripture tells us to resist Satan (James 4:7; 1
Peter 5:8-9). It is impossible to resist someone if we deny him to be real. Those people who are disposed to deny that Satan exists have been blinded by him, and he owns them. How well the scripture speaks of
these folks, “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the
love of the truth, that they might be saved, and for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

(2 Thessalonians2:10-12).
—John D. Cotham
Shady Valley, TN
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