“I NEVER knew Satan had a house!” Indeed, he has. Alas! the houses that Satan has, or, to put it in other words, the hearts and places where he rules, are too many to be counted, all over the wide world.
Now, I am going to tell you a story of a little girl I knew; which I hope will explain the meaning of this certainly strange title, “Satan’s house.” It was a cold winter’s evening, a bright fire was burning in a large room, the heavy curtains had all been drawn across the windows, and the room looked so cozy and bright. A lady sat alone, watching the fire, when presently the door opened, and two little girls ran in. Ethel, the elder, was seven years old, a fair, gentle-looking child. Amy, the younger of the two, was a remarkable child, never still a minute, her bright eyes seemed to see everything, and her mischievous little hands wanted to touch everything she saw. Their mother drew them both close to her, to have a chat about what they had been doing during the day. These children so looked forward to this hour, which was specially set apart for them.
After a while, the lady took off the table a large Bible, and began showing them some of the pictures in it, and told them of the loving Saviour who had come down from heaven, long, long ago, to save lost men, and women, and children. Ethel was all attention to hear of this Saviour; the story of how cruel and wicked men took Him and put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross, touched her young heart deeply; but with Amy it was different, she was always in such a hurry to turn over the leaves of the Bible, that she did not half hear the words her mother was speaking; so, in order to get her attention her mother turned to her saying,
“Amy! Who is it that says to Amy, when she puts her hand into the cake box, ‘No one sees you, Amy’?”
The little girl did not quite like this question; a puzzled look passed over the bright face, and she answered,
“I don’t know.” Her mother continued,
“Satan says that to Amy, but it is not true, for God sees Amy; Satan never speaks the truth, he wants Amy to believe that if no one is in the room, she will not be seen doing what she has been forbidden, but God sees all the time.” Quickly the child looked up, and said,
“Amy, get out of Satan’s house as quick as possible.” You see, Amy wanted to get away from Satan’s control, Satan’s power or rule; indeed, I do not think I can improve on this little child’s own language; to her, it was “Satan’s house.”
Dear young readers; have you, like Amy, a longing to get away from Satan’s control? A little boy once said to his mother,
“I can’t always be good; something inside of me says it won’t be good.”
Yes, there is a naughty heart inside of you, and it is to this heart that Satan speaks. Well, how are you going to get rid of it? It is too strong for you. Go to Jesus. Jesus is stronger than Satan, stronger than your heart also. Jesus is able and willing to save you. Jesus died on the cross, shed His precious blood in order to wash you from your sins. Again I say, dear child, whoever you are, Go to Jesus. He will tell you of His great love to you in dying for you to save you, and you will love Him. He says,
ML 04/17/1927