Bible Questions and Answers

The devil lives within each one of us. The devil is not the fallen angel of Christian mythology. Angels cannot sin and cannot die.

The devil is not a supernatural entity.

In the New Testament, Satan the Devil is the personification of the lust within man which causes him to sin.

James explains:

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

The temptation to sin comes, not from an external supernatural being, but from our own lusts.

Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

We have no need of an external tempter.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

We are faced with two kinds of 'devils':

1. The lust within ourselves.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

2. The lust within others.

John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

The evil which arises from lust within ourselves we must resist.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The evil which comes from within others we cannot resist.

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

The devil in this case was the authorities who persecuted Christians.

Jesus Christ was tempted exactly as we are. He had our nature with the same lusts to overcome.

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

He conquered the devil within himself by never succumbing to the desires which would have caused him to sin.

Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Having overcome the devil within himself, he gave his life as a perfect sacrifice in order to redeem the faithful from their sins.

God raised him from the dead to eternal life. Those who possess eternal life are not tempted to sin. Those who believe and obey the gospel are promised resurrection to eternal life.They will be made equal unto the angels.

Luke 20:34-36 …The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

If angels can sin and die, we will be no better off than we are now. We believe that in the promised life there will be no sin or death. Satan, the devil, which represents the lusts within mortal man, will be no more.

May I suggest that you read Do You Believe in a Devil?’ (Please click on the title)

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn