My in-laws came over one night last week to watch The Chosen. Later in the evening, we started discussing some of the things going on in the world today. My wife brought up Paul Harvey and his broadcast of “If I Were the Devil.”
Paul Harvey was a legendary American radio commentator who entertained and informed listeners with his unique style and powerful voice. One of his most famous broadcasts was “If I Were the Devil,” a monologue that was first broadcast in 1965. In this monologue, Harvey imagines a hypothetical scenario in which the devil was to take over the world, and lists the various tactics he would use to do so.
The devil, according to Harvey, would start by infiltrating the media, using it to spread lies, division, and false narratives. He would then subvert the educational system, filling it with false information and promoting ignorance. This would lead to a general lack of critical thinking and an inability to differentiate truth from fiction. The devil would then sow the seeds of division and discord, pitting people against each other along racial, religious, and political lines.
Harvey also warns that the devil would attack the family unit, promoting loose morals, sexual immorality, and selfishness. This would undermine the traditional values that held societies together and make people more susceptible to his control. He would also target the arts, filling them with violence and depravity, and promoting a culture of decadence and decay.
Harvey argues that the devil’s ultimate goal is to destroy the concept of morality and justice, leaving people devoid of any guiding principles or values. In this world, there would be no right or wrong, no good or evil, just a society controlled by the devil and his minions.
In conclusion, “If I Were the Devil” is a powerful warning about the dangers of evil and the importance of being vigilant against it. Harvey’s words still resonate today, reminding us that the devil is always lurking and that we must be vigilant in protecting our values and morals. We must be mindful of the influence of the media and education, and stand up for truth, justice, and morality in the face of evil.
This is something that I continue to stress in almost every post that I create. As Paul said in Ephesians 6: 12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
In the next verse, he instructs us to take up the whole armor of God so that we can withstand the evil forces that are around us. This is more important now than ever as we do battle against the forces that are out there. We must stand strong in our faith and know that in the end, we win.
God Bless!
Food for Thought 