Can the Devil or Other Forces Make Me Do Something? (Part 2)
In the previous podcast, we found out if the devil can make you do things and if the power of temptation can make you do things. We also found out if the power of other people can make you do things. And we answered the question if a demon can actually live in a Christian or an unbeliever.
If you did not hear that message, I encourage you to listen by clicking here:
This message will finish the 14 Facts Everyone Should Know about the Devil.
Opinion Poll About the Devil
Real Clear Opinion Research Poll that was conducted December 19 to 21, 2023, 1000 adults were asked “Do you believe in the Devil?” 70 per cent said “Believe” and 30% said “Not Believe.” The poll also found that 61% believe in ghosts and 57% believe in aliens. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 per cent.
What Jesus Says
Jesus calls Satan the father of lies. He tells the Jews who want to kill him: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires” (John 8:44 NIV).
How to Loosen the Grip the Grip on Death that Satan Has
The Apostle Paul, who wrote about half of the New Testament as the inspired word of God through the Holy Spirit, wrote in his first epistle (first letter) to the Corinthians: “But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57 NASB).
Paul is saying that like the dead (those who are non-believers), the living will also exchange their imperfectness but instead the exchange will be for the eternal and perfect in Heaven (see 1 Corinthians 13:10). For those who belong to Christ (those who believe in and who have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior), death’s power will be removed. This means that the believer will spend eternity in heaven whereas the non-believer will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire (the same thing as death).
The Best News About the Devil
Soon it will be over for Satan. His defeat is certain, and it’s imminent. How do we know that? Revelation 20:10 (ESV) tells us, “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
What We Don’t Know
What we don’t know is when the devil will be defeated once and for all, so in the meantime, we must be on guard with the full armor of God’s protection as spoken to us by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:10-13 (NASB): “Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
Letter to the Devil
In my message, I reference a Letter to the Devil, composed by and spoken by a pastor in Texas over 20 years ago, and when you hear it in this message, you’ll find a unique approach on speaking back to the devil any time that you feel like you are being attacked. If you would like to see me read the letter, click here. If you would like to print a copy the letter for yourself, click here.
Learn More
Learn if the devil is real or not on this podcast, and join us at TreasureTop.com for more messages and life hacks that can help you make life work when life does not want to work.
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Blessings to you and your loved ones.
Pastor John Haggard