The odds of getting hit by lightning in our lifetime are 1 in 15,300, yet when a strong storm comes, we head for shelter. We run from danger even though the odds of danger are slim. We don’t want to take the risk. We hear the stories of someone who got hit and think about how foolish they were to take the risk. On average, only 270 people in the United States are struck annually, and only about 10 percent of those die from the event. Around the world, approximately 2,000 people are struck by lightning every year. Yet we are still warned as children to go inside when lightning flashes. The world tells us to fear the devil but not God. Evil is depicted in books and movies as something to be feared. Horror is a genre that only worships and promotes the fear of Satan. There is great fear when people watch or read about horror, and they are convinced that Satan can kill or harm them. We know that any power Satan is allowed to have comes from God. The Bible tells us to fear God. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation (Luke 1:50). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding (Pro 9:10). It doesn’t tell us to fear Satan’s power to harm us. Satan is never feared in the Bible. Demons feared God. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (Jas 2:18-20). Men feared God. And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die (Ex 20:18-19). We don’t need to fear Satan, but just like the lighting, we can’t ignore him either. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices (2Co 2). We know the odds of Satan attacking us are higher than our odds of getting hit by lighting. We are to beware of Satan’s deception as a lion and an Angel of light. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1Pe 5:8). And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light (2Co 11:14). We need to live righteously and trust God’s protection. If we know God limits Satan’s power, then we know God won’t give us more than we can handle. We cannot give Satan a foothold in our lives. If we know we have unconfessed sin in our life, then we will lose that protection. Although we cannot ignore Satan, many people give Satan too much credit for what he can do. They think he is this mighty and powerful being and has influence over their lives. Satan didn't give us life. He isn't as powerful as we think he is. But he does have the power to introduce temptation. We will weaken spiritually if we give in to his lies and temptations. We need to truly fear and worship God! Fearing God proves that we acknowledge God as mighty and holy. Satan wants us to fear him because he wants the fear and worship that God deserves. God is the only one who can bring judgment to the world. He will bring punishment and cast those who are not written in the book of life into eternal fire. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15). People believe that we should never fear a loving God. The Bible teaches us how and why we need a proper fear of God. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt 10:27-29). We have lots of armor with which to face Satan: prayer, reading God’s Word, listening to the Word, and obedience to the Scriptures. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). Jesus has power over death, and He gave us the gift of eternal life. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:25-26). The world should fear the horrors of Hell, but not the liar that will be sent there. We must have a proper fear of God. He has the real power to save us. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. With righteous fear, we can live with God forever in His holy Kingdom!