Can someone be blessed by the devil?

Have you ever wondered why some people who openly deny the existence of God, and mock Christianity even, seem to be so successful and doing well in life? You often see celebrities on TV or in the newspapers proudly announcing that they don't believe in God and indeed anyone who does believe is somehow deluded and antiquated in their thinking.

I'd like to put forward the thought that these people are most probably blessed by the devil. They may not know it; but they are benefiting from his bounty and protection.

In the beginning God created Angels, and one of them rebelled and was allowed to leave Paradise together with his followers. God in His infinite love did not destroy them there and then, but He allowed them to exist as spirits roaming the earth to do their will. He gave them the same free will which He has gifted all of us since the creation of life. We too have the free will to choose right from wrong and to deny the very existence of God, if we wish.

In order to tempt people into his way of thinking the devil often showers good fortune on certain people; those he can influence to be his ambassadors on earth. Let's face it, we are more likely to listen to and try to emulate another human being than an invisible malevolent spirit. There is no need for the devil to walk around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8) He is more subtle than that. If he were to appear as a threatening monster we'd be so frightened that we'd all run into the arms of Christ. Which is self-defeating from his point of view. He is far cleverer than that and he makes us believe that he does not even exist. The word "devil" is just a euphemism for being naughty; it's a fun word. He doesn't really exist.

Having lulled us into a false sense of security, the devil then tempts certain people very much in the same way he tried to tempt Christ in the desert. If he had the audacity to tempt the Son of God we shouldn't be much of a challenge to him. He showers those people with opportunities to be successful, prominent, famous and in a position to influence others. It's pointless for him to spend time putting doubts and fears and confusion in the minds of people already susceptible to his thinking and wiles. They are already "on his side", so to speak. So he saves these tricks for those who believe in God and rewards his followers with good things in exchange for their services. The irony is that these very people do not know what they are doing, and most probably don't believe in the existence of the devil himself, as well as God; such is his skill in trickery.

And God allows it to happen. To intervene and to stop the devil would mean God taking away the devil's freedom, as well as our freedom, to choose right from wrong. Having gifted us all free-will God does not take it back.

It is up to each one of us to choose the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6)

In the meantime many are sleep-walking their way into hell.