This a series of posts as the Lord leads entitled “What is the Truth?”
We are presented with many beliefs , opinions, and more each day of our lives. Many sadly get their belief about the Bible from the Hollywood presentation of eternity and what they think the truth is. If we do not read the Bible for ourselves, we may never know the Truth, because the world says something different.
Today’s Truth - Satan/ The Devil
The World’s perception of the Devil:
• Dressed in Red with a pitchfork
• King / Tormentor of Hell
• All Powerful / “Devil made me do it.”
• Fallen Angel named Lucifer
• Already in Hell
What’s the Truth about Satan or The Devil?
The Truth is :
•Satan was once an angel in Heaven, but when he became prideful desiring God’s Throne , he was kicked out along with 1/3 of the angels.
Isaiah 14:12-15
How you have fallen from heaven, shining one, son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north! 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds! I will make myself like the Most High!” 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,§ to the depths of the pit.
• Satan can do nothing without God’s Permission.
Job 1:8-12
8 Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil.”
9 Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Haven’t you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face.”
12 Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold,§ all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don’t stretch out your hand.”
• Satan is not in Hell yet, instead he goes back and forth seeking those who he can deceive and destroy.
Job 1:7
. 7 Yahweh said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.”
• He is not King of Hell, nor is he a tormentor of those in Hell. Hell is his and the demons punishment for rebelling against the Lord.
Matthew 25:41
Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;
• He will be bound in chains for a time during the Lord’s 1,000 year reign , and then released for a short time, for one last chance to deceive people. Then he will be thrown into the Lake of Fire , Hell.
Revelation 20:1-3, 10
1 I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon, the old serpent, who is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth,† and bound him for a thousand years, 3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time.
10 The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
• He is a deceiver and the Father of Lies. He is a murderer. He hates people.
John 8:44
44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.
• He is not a weak adversary nor is he dumb.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, 16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word† of God; 18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.
• We know not of his appearance, but is often described by his characteristics: a snake/ serpent, a roaring lion, an angel of light, and a dragon.
1 Peter 5:8-11
8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
• Satan cannot force someone to do anything; he can only tempt people.
James 1:13-15
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. 15 Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin. The sin, when it is full grown, produces death.
Know the Truth about the Enemy of your Soul. He doesn’t get scared of you reading the Bible, or going to church etc. You become a threat when you apply God’s Word/ God’s Truth to your life. When you obey God and quit making excuses for why you cannot obey.
God will give those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior , the power through the Holy Spirit to overcome sin. We must seek the Lord for the way of escape. The Holy Spirit is also our Teacher of God’s Word and will give us wisdom, if we ask.
Excuses are costing people their souls. We are in a battle each day. The devil will not mess with those who are affirming and making excuses for their sin. Why would he when you have chosen your side? There is only two sides to this war, either with God or against God. If you know Jesus as Lord and Savior, doesn’t mean we will be perfect on this side of Heaven, but there should strive and have a desire to obey the Lord.
I will leave you with this….
Matthew 6:24
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
Whom will you choose to serve?
The choice you make has eternal consequences…
*All Scriptures are from the World English Bible.
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