Disguised as an Ally

            In late 1944, Adolf Hitler developed a unique and illegal battle strategy during the Battle of the Bulge.  Operation Greif as it was called had German soldiers dressed in U.S. Army uniforms and also using American equipment to infiltrate Allied lines.  In their disguises they were to disrupt communications, disrupt supply lines, and sow chaos.  This strategy was led by one of Hitler’s favorite officers, Otto Skorzeny.  Even though the operation was largely a failure it created paranoia among Allied troops.

            The Germans in Operation Greif are not the only ones who disguised themselves as allies.  The Bible tells us about a man called Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8.  He had captured the minds of many Samaritans with his occult and mystic practices.  When Philip came to town and preached the gospel many of his followers became believers in Christ.  Simon saw his influence fading, so he disguised himself as one of the believers.  Later on, when Peter came, he laid hands on those believers, and they received the Holy Spirit just like the Jewish believers as Pentecost.  Simon offered Peter money so that he would have power to dispense the Holy Spirit just like Peter did.  Peter saw through Simon’s disguise and said to him in Acts 8:20,21: “…Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God”.  Even though Simon had made a profession of faith and was assembling with the believers his words showed that he was just a make believer.  He wanted power, recognition, money, and a following.

            The reason Operation Greif was not successful in World War II was that even though the German’s spoke English, they could not disguise their accents.  There are many people today who are like Simon and the Germans in 1944.  They disguise themselves in the garments of grace but are not true believers.  They may come to church, sing the songs, sign up to serve but they have never been truly born again.  Don’t disguise yourself as an ally of Jesus.  Let Him transform you into a child of God.