"When anyone hears the Word of the Kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road." Matthew 13:19

Satan hates the Word of God which is the truth of God and the light of God. The Bible says that the Word of God is like a lamp unto our feet when we are walking in darkness. The lamp illuminates the way. The light exposes what is lying in the darkness. Satan can only work well under the cover of the darkness of deceit. He is the prince of darkness and he rules the kingdom of darkness. Just a little light overpowers a lot of darkness. Darkness flees from the light. In the same way lies are exposed when the truth of God’s Word comes.

When the Apostles went forth with the gospel of Jesus Christ thousands received the good news and were saved from their sins. Congregations were quickly established and Pastors were ordained to disciple the new converts in the teachings of Jesus. People of every nation and language were coming to Christ and by 400 AD God’s Word had been translated into more than 500 languages.

As we see in today’s text, Satan is able to snatch away the Word where it is not understood - so it was very important that people were able to read the Bible in their native tongue so that they could properly understand it. But Satan quickly went to work and by 500 AD the Bible was only available in the Latin language. The Church at Rome had gained power and great influence over the Christian Churches of the world and had made it illegal for the Scriptures to be translated into another language.

 For a thousand years few Christians could actually read the Bible and were dependent upon the Clergy for the "truth" of God and had no way of verifying it for themselves. There were periods of time when it was illegal to own a Bible of any kind. During one period in France, anyone caught with a Bible was burned to death with it. Satan has always hated God’s Word which is His truth.

Satan has not changed his tactics - he still knows that he must suppress God’s Word, the light of Truth which exposes the deeds and plans of darkness. Let us always remember the importance of worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth. Let us not just accept everything taught but learn to prove it to be true. The Bible says that in the last days only those who love the truth who will be saved.