The Devil is Real!

People may laugh at the very idea of a personal devil, yet they cannot explain all the evil in the world because the devil is real! Likewise, many deny the existence of a real place called Hell, yet they wrongly think everyone goes to Heaven. Nevertheless, when something is true, it will not matter whether you believed it when you stand before the Lord Jesus Christ to give an account of yourself on earth.

God’s Word, the Bible, teaches that the devil is real and that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, the destroyer at work behind the scenes, who uses people, even if they don’t believe in him.

He who does what is sinful is of the devil because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are. Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:8, 10

The Devil Has Many Names

The devil is an evil, wicked spirit and the source of all human misery. He has many names: Satan, Beelzebub, the evil one, prince of this world, father of lies, murderer, slanderer, schemer, the accuser, serpent, and dragon. A dragon is a dangerous monster, and a serpent implies poisonous qualities. Satan’s name means “enemy” or “adversary.” All his names combined describe who the devil is: The sworn enemy of God and His followers.

There is something else important to understand: Unlike God, who has always existed, the devil is a created being. Although he is powerful, God sets limits on him, revealing that only Almighty God reigns supreme.

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him. Acts 10:38

The Devil’s Rebellion Against God

Did you know that the very first war began in heaven? Sometime after God created the devil, and before the creation of mankind, Satan rebelled against God and took one-third of the angels with him. These angels are now called demons, who do the devil’s work on earth.

And there was a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.

The great dragon was hurled down, that ancient serpent, called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. “But woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury because he knows that his time is short.” Revelation 12:7-9, 12

We are living in the last days, so Satan’s work has become more intense in his war against God and His followers on earth. As we see the great conflict between good and evil raging, God provides no neutral ground; you must choose a side!

Pride Made the Devil Fall From Heaven

The Bible teaches that the rebellion against God began because the devil became proud and tried to take the place of God. Thus, pride is called the original sin, and sin infects every person born on earth.

You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.

Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. Ezekiel 28:14-17

God’s Word describes the devil’s prideful arrogance and determined self-will to rule in God’s place. Does this describe you?

You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. Isaiah 14:13-14

Satan’s insurrection against God continues in the hearts of those who unwittingly serve him. Because when we take the place of God and live to please ourselves, we reject God’s right as our Creator to rule our lives. All rebellion against the will of God is called sin. So, until Jesus Christ returns to earth again, the war for hearts and minds will continue because there are only two sides: God or Satan. Today, choose whom you will worship and serve.

The Devil Tempted Eve to Disobey God

Sometime after God removed Satan from heaven, the devil continued his rebellion against God. He took the form of a beautiful serpent in the Garden of Eden to tempt Eve to disobey God’s Word. God had commanded Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil because they would die spiritually and physically. Nevertheless, both Adam and Eve ate, and sin and death entered the world just as God said.

Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. The woman told God, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So, the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals.” Genesis 3:1, 13-14

Eve believed the devil’s lies and gave in to temptation, and Adam willfully chose to follow Eve instead of obeying the Word of God. Temptation is not sin, but rather, it is acting on the urge that gives life to sin. Adam and Eve sinned against God when they ate from the forbidden tree.

Today, Satan continues to deceive the unsuspecting by cloaking himself as light, using false religion to lead the gullible away from a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

The Devil Tempts You to Sin

Jesus defeated Satan’s temptations because He knew and believed the Word of God. Likewise, Jesus’ followers overcome the schemes of the evil one in the same way. Therefore, if you have been too busy to read and study the Bible and make no time to pray, you are in danger! Ask God to help you make doing these a priority, so you are equipped to resist the enemy of your soul.

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him. Matthew 4:1, 10-11

Some examples of temptation: ●Satan tempts you to question God’s goodness, especially in trying circumstances. ●You are tempted to doubt God’s ability to help you when you look at your problems rather than trusting in God’s sufficiency and provision. ●The devil entices you to find the things of this world more attractive than following God. ●You are tempted to neglect prayer, Bible study, and church. ●You are tempted to believe that you can continue to sin against God without repentance and never pay a price.

Satan’s goal is for you to believe his lies so you will worship and follow him and not God. Thus, trust God and His Word to resist the temptation to sin, and you will stand firm by faith against the schemes of the devil.

Jesus told His disciples: Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41

The Devil is a Defeated Foe

Almighty God is our Creator and the supreme authority in the universe. Thus, nothing God created will ever be superior to Him, and surely not Satan! God cursed him in the Garden of Eden, and then revealed His plan for man’s redemption from sin through Jesus Christ.

The Lord God told Satan: I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel. Genesis 3:15

After Adam and Eve sinned, God promised that the devil would be defeated by one born of a woman. Accordingly, the New Testament reveals that the promised Messiah was God’s Son, Jesus Christ, born of the virgin Mary.

Later, the critical blow to Satan came when Jesus Christ shed His sinless blood on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. And the devil’s defeat was assured when God raised Jesus from the dead three days later. Therefore, only those who believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and receive Him have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to defeat sin.

Jesus said, “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now, the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. He said this to show the kind of death He was going to die. John 12:31-33

Because believers in Jesus Christ are aligned with God, Satan continues to be a very dangerous enemy. So, to defeat the devil, you cannot rely on yourself! Instead, believe the Word of God and rely on God’s mighty power by faith.

The Devil And Hell Are Real

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

Many people believe that when they die, that is the end. But the Bible teaches that there are two choices offered to those living on earth: Eternal life in heaven with God or eternal death in hell with the devil. This means that when you die, you will live in one of these two places forever.

Those who refuse Jesus’ offer of salvation while living on earth die in their sins, to be tormented day and night in hell, along with the devil, and all who rejected Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Indeed, hell is no laughing matter; it is a place of eternal torment with unquenchable fire.

Jesus taught about His return and the final judgment.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.

Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-33, 41, 45-46

The Devil is Real, So Choose Jesus

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. Hebrews 9:27-28

God created every person born, yet each person must decide whom they will serve while living on earth: Jesus Christ or Satan? Now is the time to make a decision because where you will spend eternity depends on it.

Do you believe that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, willingly shed His sinless blood and died on the cross to forgive your sins? And do you believe that Jesus was buried and was raised from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures?

If you answered yes, then admit to God that you have sinned against Him, repent of your sins, and ask Jesus to save you now. Indeed, the devil is real, but the Bible promises that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ will be saved and have peace with God.

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13

Not Today Devil

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Week 1: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-15; Joshua 24:14-15; 2 Kings 6:15-17; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-10; Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 6:16-19; 8:13, 17; 16:4-5; Isaiah 14:9-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Zechariah 3:1-4; Matthew 1:20-25; 4:1-11; 7:13-14, 21-29; 8:5-13

Week 2: Matthew 10:28; 12:22-28, 33-37; 13:36-43, 47-50; 16:18, 21-23; 23:1, 33; 24:45-51; 25:31-33, 41-46; 26:41; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 4:1-15, 31-37; 8:11-12; 10:17-20; 16:13-15, 19-31; 22:3-6, 31-32; John 3:16-21, 35-36; 5:24-30

Week 3: John 6:70; 8:12, 23-24, 42-47; 10:10, 24-30;  12:31-33; 14:6, 30-31; 16:7-11, 33; 17:3-5, 15-16; Acts 4:12; 5:1-4; 10:37-43; 13:4-12; 19:11; 26:15-18; Romans 2:5-16; 5:12-14; 6:8-14, 22-23; 8:1-14, 38-39; 10: 8-13; 14:12; 16:20

Week 4: 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; 10:6-13; 2 Corinthians 2:10-11; 4:4; 11:3, 13-15; Galatians 1:3-4; 5:19-21; Ephesians 2:1-10; 4:17-27; 5:1-21; 6:10-18; Colossians 1:13-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18; 3:5; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12; 2:1-12; 3:1-5

Week 5: 1 Timothy 3:1, 6-7; 5:14-15; 2 Timothy 2:15, 19, 24-26; 3:1-5; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:14-18; 3:12-13; 4:14-16; 9:22, 27; James 1:13-15; 2:18-20, 26; 3:6-7, 14-16; 4:4-7, 17; 1 Peter 4:1-7; 5:8-11; 2 Peter 2:4-10

Week 6:  1 John 1:8-10; 2:1-6, 12-17, 20-26; 15-17; 3:4-10; 4:1-7, 13; 5:10-13, 18-21; Jude:6-10, Revelation 2:9-13, 24-25; 3:9-10; 12:7-13, 17; 13:1-9; 16:13-16; 20:1-3, 7-15, 21:5-8