Defeating the Devil (Part 1 of 3)

Many times people will erroneously blame God for their trouble or sorrow and somehow conclude that He enjoys doing bad things to people. This is ridiculous because the Devil is the one responsible for all the malevolent things in our life. It is not possible for God to do anything wrong at all. The Bible says; remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong and he never tempts anyone else. James 1:13 (NLT) When Adam and Eve disobeyed the Almighty, every future human entered into the devils world of disobedience.  But there is hope in this rebellious world; Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 1 Cor 15:22 (NLT) Think about it, as sons of Adam we have all made choices that have led to misery and this is always brought about in some way by evil powers. Scripture tells us how the devil is at work in people’s lives; Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. Eph 2:1-2 (NLT) Every human must find the way to escape from the bad intentions and powers of the devil so they will not live in his eternity.

Victory over the devil requires us to someday depart this world while walking on the narrow path of righteousness. You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matt 7:13-14 (NLT) Anyone that has lived any length of time on earth is aware that we are not naturally righteous. A normal life on this earth is never righteous because the Devil rules this earth. When Jesus was on earth He told us that He had come to save us. He said to us that;  Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. John 16:10-11 (NLT) Some people will ask “if the Devil is the ruler of this world then how can we ever live righteously?” We know that it is possible because the Scriptures explain again and again how the righteous life is available to humble people. There are also passages about the two different kinds of lives being lived on earth. When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous, but when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:7-8 (NLT) The literal meaning of “destroy the works” is to free people from the devils power. See Greek, luo #3089

It is crucial that we find the way to get under the wing of Jesus, so to speak. The Savior is the only force on earth with enough power to turn us loose from the evil powers of the devil. There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NLT) With our freedom from evil we receive power to defeat the Devil at his personal game of destruction. What must we do in order to enjoy this extraordinary power in life? Jesus told an important man, “you must be born again.” The first step to being born again is something that we must maintain every day of our life. It is called “taking the step of faith.” Simply put, a person must give up their own decision making and take only the steps that Jesus directs through the Spirit. It is sometimes difficult. Remember when Indiana Jones stood on the edge of a cliff, facing certain death, and his father told him to take a step of faith toward life. He had to face his fear. Fear is the reason many weak hearted people turn back from seeking God. Scripture tells us what will happen to Christian winners or to those who fail; All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. But cowards….and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Rev 21:7-8 (NLT) The people who fail usually have a fear of losing something that they love in this life. Anyone who beats the Devil must have courage to serve God in our world.