The Real Virus – Not Covid

Good morning, church family! Let me ask you a question: When you hear the word "virus," what comes to mind? Yeah, most of us are probably thinking about Covid, right? Masks, lockdowns, and trying to figure out which side of the aisle you’re supposed to stand on in the grocery store. But today, I want to talk about a virus that’s far more dangerous than anything we've faced in recent years. A virus that has been spreading for centuries, and it’s still here today. I’m talking about the virus of disinformation and deceit.

Now, I know, we’ve all heard about fake news, conspiracy theories, and all the things that get shared on social media faster than a cat video goes viral. But what if I told you that this "virus" isn't just about bad information or misleading headlines? It’s part of a satanic agenda designed to keep us distracted, fearful, and divided—exactly the way the devil likes it.

The Pandemic of Disinformation

You see, while the world was focused on sanitizing our hands there's been another, far more insidious virus spreading across the globe: the virus of fear, confusion, and manipulation. We see it in how the media spins stories, how world leaders twist facts, and how people live in constant anxiety, all because they’ve been conditioned to believe the worst is always just around the corner.

Let’s be real—fear mongering has been around long before Covid ever existed. Satan has been using disinformation to control people for thousands of years. If you think Covid is the biggest threat out there, I have news for you: the real virus is much older and more deadly, and it’s been quietly working its way through humanity since the beginning of time.

Satan's Misinformation Campaign: The Original Fake News

Let’s rewind all the way back to the Garden of Eden—the original fake news moment. Remember the story? Satan shows up as a serpent and starts whispering lies to Eve. God had given them clear instructions: “Don’t eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” But what does Satan do? He distorts the truth, saying, “Did God really say that? Oh, you won’t die. In fact, you’ll become like God, knowing good and evil!” (Genesis 3:1-5).

Now, let’s break this down. What Satan is doing here is classic disinformation. He’s taking a little truth, twisting it, and making it sound better, even though it's a lie. And what happens? Eve listens, she eats, and humanity falls into sin. The virus of disinformation has infected the human race from that moment on. This was Satan’s first masterstroke—getting people to question God's truth, and in doing so, causing destruction.

The Fear Virus

Fast forward to today. Satan still loves to manipulate through fear. The Bible is clear: God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear is a tool of the enemy. And let me tell you, it’s the gateway through which so many people are controlled today.

Think about it. World leaders, media outlets, influencers—they love to stir the pot, to create fear, panic, and chaos. When you’re fearful, you’re not thinking clearly. You’re more likely to make rash decisions, to obey without questioning, and to let others lead you into paths that are far from God’s will. And that’s exactly what the enemy wants.

Do you remember the story of the 12 spies in the Book of Numbers (Numbers 13)? God had already promised the Israelites the Promised Land, but when they sent out spies to check it out, only two of them—Joshua and Caleb—had the courage to speak truth and trust God. The other ten spies, though, spread fearful lies, saying, “We can’t do it! We’re like grasshoppers in their eyes!” (Numbers 13:33).

What happened? The people bought into the fear and rebelled against God. They ended up wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. That’s what happens when we listen to the wrong voices—fear takes over, and we miss out on God's blessings.

The Propaganda Machine: Tools of the Elites

So, here’s where things get interesting. We know that Satan’s kingdom is built on lies, but what happens when these lies are amplified by powerful people? That’s where the elites and the media come in.

There’s an old saying: “He who controls the narrative controls the people.” Today, we call this propaganda. Propaganda is information (or misinformation) that’s spread to shape people’s attitudes and beliefs. And guess what? The enemy has been using propaganda for centuries to create division, spread fear, and manipulate the masses.

Do you think world leaders, corporations, and certain media outlets are above using propaganda? Not at all. They know that when they control the flow of information, they control how people think, how they vote, how they live. If they can keep people in fear, in confusion, and distracted by crises—whether it’s about politics, health, or other issues—they can make sure that people follow their agenda without even knowing it.

And we’re seeing this happen right now in our world—politicians making decisions based on fear; media outlets pushing narratives that keep us divided; corporations benefiting from chaos. They manipulate the truth and use fear to push their agendas. And, guess who’s in charge of it all? Satan, the father of lies, using these tools to further his agenda of destruction.

The Devil's Game: Divide and Conquer

Now, you might be asking, “Okay, pastor Cris, I get that Satan lies. But what does this have to do with today’s world? How do we deal with all the disinformation today?” Well, Satan is still using the same tactics—he divides us. He gets us focused on all the things that separate us: politics, race, economic status, Covid vaccines vs. non-vaccinated, masks vs. no masks. The enemy knows that a divided church is a weak church. And if he can keep Christians arguing and fighting amongst themselves, then he can keep them distracted from the mission God has called them to.

But look at what Jesus says: “A house divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). Satan knows this. So, he sows seeds of division. He gets people to take sides, to listen to voices that promote fear and chaos, and before you know it, we’re all fighting each other instead of fighting the real enemy—the devil.

What Can We Do?

So, what can we do? Well, let me tell you, the first step is to stop listening to the wrong voices. Don’t buy into the fear. We’ve been given the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) to stand firm. We don’t need to be afraid of what the media says, or what a politician says, or what a “health expert” says. We need to listen to God’s Word. He has the final say, and He is not the author of confusion or fear.

When you hear the lies and the disinformation being spread around you, stand on truth. Remember what Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The truth is that God is in control, and He’s not sitting on His throne wondering what the next political headline will be. He’s got this.

Also, remember this: we don’t fight against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). The real battle isn’t with people, but with the powers and principalities of the enemy. Satan uses disinformation to keep people in bondage, but we have the truth of the Gospel to set them free.

Closing: Stop the Spread of the Real Virus

So, here’s the bottom line: The real virus isn’t Covid—it’s the virus of lies and deceit. It’s the fear, confusion, and division that Satan is spreading all around us. And the only way to stop the spread of this virus is to stand firm in God’s truth and speak that truth in love. Don’t let the world manipulate you. Don’t let the enemy deceive you.

Choose faith over fear, truth over lies, and unity over division. And remember, God has already won. So, let’s walk in His victory, stand in His truth, and trust in His promises.

Let’s pray

Father, we thank You that we don’t have to live in fear. We thank You that Your truth sets us free. Help us to recognize the lies and deceit around us and stand firm in Your Word. Protect our minds, our hearts, and our families from the enemy’s attacks. We know that You are the ultimate truth, and we trust in You completely. In Jesus' name, Amen.