The Devil Made Me Do It!

I have heard a lot of people say that God put something bad on them to teach them something. The Bible doesn’t support the idea that God puts anything bad on believers..

With Whom Is Our Fight?

As we learned in Ephesians 6:12, it said that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (people). The verse goes onto explain what we do wrestle against. principalities, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. On the surface, we can take that to mean that we are to fight against evil in the world system whatever that may entail.

However, as we read this in context, it specifically speaks of the evil in the spiritual dimensions that are beyond the four dimensions of height, width, depth, and time. What exactly is the evil in this spiritual dimension?

The Father of Lies

In Genesis 3:15  we learn about the serpent who tricked Eve into eating of the fruit of The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. In Revelation 12:9 the Bible tells us that the serpent is the Devil, Satan. In Ezekiel 28:13-19 we learn that this same being was in the Garden of Eden and that he had been a  beautiful and perfect cherub. that walked in the midst of the stones of fire. But when he deceived Adam and Eve, he lost his position as one of God’s angels. It was his pride in how beautiful he was that  separated him from God. Here it says that it was Satan who defiled the earth and that he is the ultimate terrorist.

Isaiah 14:11-20 tells us even more. It says that Satan’s angelic name was Lucifer. who fell from heaven and weakened the nations. Here it says that he had so much pride that he wanted to take God’s place. However, at some time he will be placed in the pit of hell and everyone will ask, Is this the man who made the earth to tremble and did shake kingdoms? That made the world like a wilderness and destroyed the cities and held prisoners captive. The people of the world may have mercy and grace, but Lucifer did not have that opportunity. He would never receive what he wanted which is to be greater than his creator.

The Enemy’s Tactics

In John 10:10, it says that this devil is come to kill steal and destroy, but (Christ) came that we could live and to live more abundantly. In other words, whenever something/one is killed, stolen or destroyed, it is not God that does it, it is the devil, Satan. Christ came to die on the cross to set us free so that we could have abundant life.

Our Lord’s Strategy

The truth is, we do not need to say “the devil made me do it”. We have been given tools to wage war against the devil. In addition,God gives us the battle plan for overcoming this enemy. First, we are recommended to protect ourselves defensively. In James 4:7 it says to submit to God and resist the devil and he will flew. Therefore our first strategy is to submit to God and resist the devil. According to Ephesians 6:13-15, we are to protect ourselves with truth, righteousness, prepare ourselves  with the gospel of peace,  take up the shield of faith, take up the helmet of salvation.

Verses 16-18 tell us how we can advance offensively we are to carry the sword of the Spirit which is The Word of God. In addition, we are to pray all forms of prayer and supplications in the Spirit  to put the enemy on the run.

 

 

Donna Brown is an ordained minister. As Author Cygnet Brown, she  has recently published her first nonfiction book: Simply Vegetable Gardening: Simple Organic Gardening Tips for the Beginning Gardener

She is also the author of historical fiction series The Locket Saga. which includes When God Turned His Head and Soldiers Don’t Cry, the Locket Saga Continues. Her upcoming book A Coward’s Solace will be available soon. Click here for more information about Cygnet Brown and her books.