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THE DEVILIs the Devil fact or fiction?
It used to be fashionable not to believe in the Devil. People made him out to be a comic figure of mythology in red tights, with horns and a tail. But the Bible knows better. The Devil is real—as real as God.
The Devil was once an angel who rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:12-20).
His continual work is to oppose God and God's people (Luke 22:31,32; 1 Thessalonians2:18; Matthew4:l).
This opposition is sometimes fierce and obvious. He comes at us like a 'roaring lion' (1 Peter 5:8).
At other times he is more devious, and comes as an 'angel of light' (2 Corinthians 11:14).
This second ploy is perhaps the more dangerous. Paul warns us of the 'wiles of the devil' (Ephesians 6:11).The Bible continually warns us of the Devil's cunning.
Note the following terms:
'more subtle' (Genesis 3:1); 'his devices' (2 Corinthians 2:11); 'a liar' (John 8:44); he 'beguiled Eve' (2 Corinthians 11:3); 'the snare of the devil' (1 Timothy 3:7); he 'deceiveth the whole world' (Revelation 12:9).The moment you become a Christian all these wiles are used against you. Never minimize the power of the Devil, but do not exaggerate it either. He is mighty, but not almighty. The Almighty God, our Father and Saviour, has given us the means to defeat the Devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Before conversion you were the servant of the Devil (John 8:44; Ephesians 2:2,3; 1 John 5:19).
The Devil is the prince of this world (John 12:31).
On the cross Jesus defeated the Devil (Colossians 2:14,15).
You can defeat him too, but only in Christ.
Read James 4:7 and note that you can only resist the Devil effectively when you are first submitted to God.