Knowing the Devil
Knowing the Devil
By Pastor Alexander Redd
January 10, 2023
Many churches neglect teaching about the devil, which is a problem. However, we shouldn't blame the devil for all our sins or live in fear of him. The real danger lies in being unaware of the devil's tricks and underestimating his role. Instead of always blaming him for our problems, we should make efforts through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand who the devil is and what he is capable of (Matthew 12:24;1 John 3:8, John 12:31).
We cannot ignore the supernatural elements in our faith. Christianity is inherently supernatural, with angels, healings, demons, miracles, and resurrection (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Sometimes, we downplay the supernatural aspects to make the gospel more appealing. But Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.
The origin of the devil is difficult to understand fully. Scripture proclaims all things were created by God and for God (Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16–17). We don't fully understand why God allowed the devil to exist or why He created him, knowing that sin would enter the world. But we know that sin and evil will enable us to understand God's love, grace, mercy, and holiness in a way we wouldn't have otherwise. We must accept that we have limited answers to these questions (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:1–19).
What is the devil ultimately trying to achieve? The Bible describes him as an adversary, evil, prince of darkness, and father of lies. He opposes all that is good and seeks to rival and replace God. His pride led to his downfall (John 8:44; Revelation 8:44).
The devil tempts people to sin and blinds unbelievers, but his power is limited (Matthew 4:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4). He wants to drag as many people as possible to destruction, but his goal of replacing God and being worshiped has already been defeated. Scripture tells us that his end is inevitable and that he will be thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where he will be tormented forever (Revelation 20:10).
Jesus Christ triumphed over the devil through His death and resurrection. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and secured victory over sin, death, and the devil (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-15). Through faith in Jesus, we are set free from the devil's power. However, we must remain vigilant and aware of his tactics, as he still seeks to deceive and destroy.
The church must acknowledge and address the existence and influence of the devil. Understanding his goals and limitations allows us to guard ourselves against his schemes and stand firm in our faith (Ephesians 6:11). We should not dismiss the supernatural elements of our Christian faith. The devil is a real adversary, but Jesus Christ's victory has already secured his defeat.
Remember to be sober-minded and watchful as we spread the gospel and live out our faith. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). By staying rooted in God's Word, relying on His strength, and being aware of the devil's tactics, we can resist temptations and live victoriously in Christ.
By Pastor Alexander Redd
January 10, 2023
Many churches neglect teaching about the devil, which is a problem. However, we shouldn't blame the devil for all our sins or live in fear of him. The real danger lies in being unaware of the devil's tricks and underestimating his role. Instead of always blaming him for our problems, we should make efforts through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand who the devil is and what he is capable of (Matthew 12:24;1 John 3:8, John 12:31).
We cannot ignore the supernatural elements in our faith. Christianity is inherently supernatural, with angels, healings, demons, miracles, and resurrection (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Sometimes, we downplay the supernatural aspects to make the gospel more appealing. But Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.
The origin of the devil is difficult to understand fully. Scripture proclaims all things were created by God and for God (Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16–17). We don't fully understand why God allowed the devil to exist or why He created him, knowing that sin would enter the world. But we know that sin and evil will enable us to understand God's love, grace, mercy, and holiness in a way we wouldn't have otherwise. We must accept that we have limited answers to these questions (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:1–19).
What is the devil ultimately trying to achieve? The Bible describes him as an adversary, evil, prince of darkness, and father of lies. He opposes all that is good and seeks to rival and replace God. His pride led to his downfall (John 8:44; Revelation 8:44).
The devil tempts people to sin and blinds unbelievers, but his power is limited (Matthew 4:9; 2 Corinthians 4:4). He wants to drag as many people as possible to destruction, but his goal of replacing God and being worshiped has already been defeated. Scripture tells us that his end is inevitable and that he will be thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where he will be tormented forever (Revelation 20:10).
Jesus Christ triumphed over the devil through His death and resurrection. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and secured victory over sin, death, and the devil (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14-15). Through faith in Jesus, we are set free from the devil's power. However, we must remain vigilant and aware of his tactics, as he still seeks to deceive and destroy.
The church must acknowledge and address the existence and influence of the devil. Understanding his goals and limitations allows us to guard ourselves against his schemes and stand firm in our faith (Ephesians 6:11). We should not dismiss the supernatural elements of our Christian faith. The devil is a real adversary, but Jesus Christ's victory has already secured his defeat.
Remember to be sober-minded and watchful as we spread the gospel and live out our faith. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). By staying rooted in God's Word, relying on His strength, and being aware of the devil's tactics, we can resist temptations and live victoriously in Christ.
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