The
Bible talks about a real Devil. Let’s start with some of the names he is referred
to…
Satan (Job 1:6)
Lucifer (Isaiah
14: 12-15)
Devil (Matthew
4:1)
Father of lies
(John 8:44)
Serpent (Genesis
3:1-4)
We
see his beginning as a beautiful Angel who was in charge of Praise and worship
in the Heavens. After Pride came in to his Heart, he was cast down to Earth and
no longer beautiful in anyway, and has taken with him 1/3 of the angels to
become demons. (Isaiah 14:12-15). He has been and is still competing with God
for Mankind to follow him, and to deceive many from the Truth of Gods plan for
us. (Genesis 3:1-13). Although his motives are always, negative there is no
doubt about what he is all about. He is to blame for much evil in the world,
but I want to ask a question:
Is it always the
devil?
Many people have
blamed the devil for a lot of things that I personally don’t believe the devil
is behind. Can it sometimes be bad choices, habits, or the flesh?
Let’s
take a look at some of what the Bible has to say about the devil.
We see where he
is allowed to tempt Jesus during His fasting (Matthew 4:
1-11)
He uses
deception with Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-4)
Has been able to
posses humans (possessed by the devil), which causes much torment and pain
(Matthew 4:24 & Matthew 8:16)
Many
believe and blame life’s circumstances on the devil. For example:
car troubles
bank overdraft
charges
health problems
divorce
undisciplined
children
bad weather.
Servicing
the car on a regular basis can prevent car problems. Having the car you will
purchase checked out by a good mechanic can prevent problems also.
Financial
problems are often the result of bad spending habits, undisciplined or poor
management, many feel the need to buy now, and worry about bills, or rent
later. The need for immediate gratification plays a big part.
Laziness
is said to come to poverty (Proverbs 6:10, 13:18)
The
Bible refers to fools over and over
(Proverbs 1: 7, Psalm 107:17). We are told to consider the Ant (Proverbs
6:6-8).
Many
health problems are the result of poor food choices, overindulgence, smoking,
excessive drinking, not paying attention to family history of major illness,
which often causes neglecting regular check ups.
Drugs,
overuse of prescription drugs, Not getting enough rest, drinking water,
exercise, sexual immorality, to name a few. (1 Corinthians
6:18-19)(Proverbs 23:2).
Relationship
problems can result due to selfishness, unforgiveness, bitterness, out of
control anger, misunderstandings, betrayal, infidelity, addictions, etc.
The
working of the flesh are mentioned (Galatians 5:19-21).
Undisciplined
children are not properly trained from early childhood. Often they give into
peer pressure. And, when they are older, it is much harder to get them to
obey. In Proverbs we are told if we
don’t discipline our children we don’t love them (Proverbs 3:11-12, 5: 23,
13:24, & 12:1) Unfortunally they grow up and become undisciplined adults;
this can lead to trouble in marriages, and relationships.
Bad weather happens
just about everywhere, it can be very destructive, and leave families with much
of nothing left. This is devastating, but I don’t believe it is the work of the
devil. How can it be explained that one house was spared, and several others
destroyed. I believe it is just life on earth as we know it. Many weather issues are a result of our earth
being around so long, and human inventions such as fuel, chemicals, pollution,
and other things have caused our weather to change so dramatically. The Bible
speaks of the last day’s weather problems (Mark 13:8) ( Matthew 24:7) (Luke
21:11).
I
do believe that the devil can tempt, influence, possess, and deceive so that
many will not know the truth (we see this in cults). If we read what God’s has
to say about how to live, we can learn to recognize the devil at work, resist
him, be lead by the Holy Sprit, and not our flesh, we can then begin to
overcome and live more victorious lives, pleasing to God (Galatians 5: 13-17,
6:7-10).
