Beelzebub is one of the many interesting names found in the Bible. Just who is Beelzebub? In the Old Testament he is referred to as a Philistine god. In the New Testament he is called “the prince of devils.” In other words, Beelzebub is none other than Satan himself.
Matthew 12:22-27 records the time when Jesus encountered a man who was blind, unable to speak, and was possessed by a demon. Jesus healed him and cast the demon out. The Pharisees, who did not believe Jesus was the Son of God, and who had opposed Him on every occasion they could, were present. They said that Jesus healed the man by the power of Beelzebub, not by the power of God.
There are two non-biblical stories involving the prince of devils which I find very interesting. The first story tells of a time when Beelzebub scheduled a meeting with his junior devils – in other words, his “sub-bubs”. He asked for ideas on the best way to keep people constantly frustrated so they would never become all that God had created them to be. The sub-bubs proposed various kinds of physical and spiritual barriers, but Beelzebub rejected them all, citing examples of human beings overcoming one barrier after another.
Finally, one of the sub-bubs suggested an idea that would keep humans from knowing and serving God in an effective way – discouragement. It was such a new and innovative idea that Beelzebub put the sub-bub who suggested this in charge of strategic planning for his Turning People Away from God Committee.
The second non-biblical story tells of a later time when Beelzebub decided to put his tools up for sale. On the date of the sale the tools were displayed for public inspection. Each tool was marked with its sale price. They were a treacherous lot of implements – Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Lying, Greed, Lust, and many other dark and devious tools. Placed apart from the rest was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn, and priced very high.
“What is the name of that tool?” asked one of the purchasers.
“Discouragement,” Beelzebub tersely replied.
“Why have you priced it so high?”
“Because it is more useful to me than all the others,” Beelzebub replied. “I can pry open and get inside the heart of people with that tool when I cannot get near them with any of the other tools I have. Once I get inside, I can make them do what I choose. It is a badly worn tool because I use it on almost everyone. One reason it is such an effective tool is that few people know it belongs to me.” The price for discouragement was so high it was never sold. In fact, it is so effective that Beelzebub, the Head-Bub, still uses it.
A pastor called me several years ago and asked if he might come by my office to talk about the problems he was facing in his church. I invited him to come, and for well over an hour he poured out his misery that was caused by the obstacles he was facing. When he had unburdened himself, I told him he was trying to do God’s work all by himself. He had forgotten that the God who had called him to mission had promised to go with him, guide him, strengthen him, use him, and give him victory in completing the mission. He had allowed Beelzebub’s favorite tool – discouragement – to take him off the main highway onto a detour.
If you ever find yourself down in the dumps, if you ever feel as though you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, remember that the author of discouragement is Beelzebub. Remember also that the God who created you is able to take your discouragement away and give you joy and peace in its place!
The Paper Pulpit 
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