Satan is at the heart of all sin
(1 John 3:8).
Neil Anderson explains what I have been trying to put into words for such a long time. And he does it in one small 8 word sentence. It blows me away how on point he can be.
1 John 3:8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
In the beginning, Adam and Eve were not inclined to sin until the enemy, the devil, came in the form of a snake and lied to them. He knew what to say to cause them to think about themselves and not about God (our fleshly (selfish) life enters). But would they have sinned on their own, without the tempter? I personally don't think so. Imagine a world that was full and perfect. There sat one, just one tree. God's one and only rule in the entire Garden was not to eat from this tree. God was not secretive about what would happen. He said, "You will surely die." In other words, "You will cease to exist." I don't know about you, but I would follow that one rule. Wouldn't you? Not only did God give them every single thing they needed, but they walked and talked with God. AND... they didn't have to work. They tended to all the animals with a joyful heart (no animal would run from them or eat them etc.) The animals were companions. Do you have a dog or a cat? They are your companion and you enjoy him/her. We are getting a puppy soon!
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25
Imagine the classic story Snow White, taken from the idea that if you would eat from a specific tree/fruit then you would die. The mean ugly witch wanted to be like Snow White, as satan wanted to be like God. The witch disguised herself as a lovely lady, as satan disguised himself as one of the animals of the kingdom The snake was not so creepy with legs; none of the animals were creepy. Do you think that Snow White would have taken the apple if she knew it would make her die? Let's take it further, do you think she would have taken the apple knowing it would kill her if the witch walked right up to her undisguised, telling her the truth of the fruit? Or what if that lovely lady told her the truth, would Snow White take it from the lovely lady? I think you know that the implication here is, no she would not have taken the fruit. The truth would set her free. Sound familiar?
The end of the story of Snow White comes with a similar ending, as Prince Charming saves Snow White and brings her back to life. Jesus does this for us. He brings us to life and frees us from the power of sin.
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed
So, if the truth is that Jesus has set you free, then why do we still sin? Even beyond that, why do many continue to be enslaved by sin?
It starts with satan's lies (entered into your thought-life), and taken action by your selfish desires (the flesh). The truth is that you are free, but you believing the lies, and acting on them enslaves you to sin. However, God's grace goes beyond your sin, so salvation is secure. However, you will live a defeated Christian life. On the contrary, if you believe God and stay in obedience to His Words, you will live free and victorious lives.
Don't keep eating the apple that leads to defeat.
Bear the fruit of the vine that leads to victory.
John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Again, Satan is at the heart of all sin.
Do not be fooled by his crafty lies, that even look good and smooth. Remember, he comes as an angel of light. This means that he mimics the truth, making it look like the truth. Sometimes he actually tells you the truth and coerces you to sin. The truth in the garden was that Adam and Eve would know good apart from evil. God was protecting them from that. But satan enticed them with that truth, by saying, "you will know good from evil".
Satan is at the heart of all sin. Tell him to leave, in Jesus name. Simply speak it aloud, and he has to flee. You don't even need to pray it. Only one time does Jesus say that a particular stronghold needed prayer. Use your faith and speak aloud against the devil's schemes. First identify the lie, and speak truth against it. The thing is, you need to know God's word to speak truth. This is why it's so important to read and study His word. It is food for your soul.
Satan is at the heart of all sin. He doesn't want you to know that!
(1 John 3:8).
Neil Anderson explains what I have been trying to put into words for such a long time. And he does it in one small 8 word sentence. It blows me away how on point he can be.
1 John 3:8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
In the beginning, Adam and Eve were not inclined to sin until the enemy, the devil, came in the form of a snake and lied to them. He knew what to say to cause them to think about themselves and not about God (our fleshly (selfish) life enters). But would they have sinned on their own, without the tempter? I personally don't think so. Imagine a world that was full and perfect. There sat one, just one tree. God's one and only rule in the entire Garden was not to eat from this tree. God was not secretive about what would happen. He said, "You will surely die." In other words, "You will cease to exist." I don't know about you, but I would follow that one rule. Wouldn't you? Not only did God give them every single thing they needed, but they walked and talked with God. AND... they didn't have to work. They tended to all the animals with a joyful heart (no animal would run from them or eat them etc.) The animals were companions. Do you have a dog or a cat? They are your companion and you enjoy him/her. We are getting a puppy soon!
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25
Imagine the classic story Snow White, taken from the idea that if you would eat from a specific tree/fruit then you would die. The mean ugly witch wanted to be like Snow White, as satan wanted to be like God. The witch disguised herself as a lovely lady, as satan disguised himself as one of the animals of the kingdom The snake was not so creepy with legs; none of the animals were creepy. Do you think that Snow White would have taken the apple if she knew it would make her die? Let's take it further, do you think she would have taken the apple knowing it would kill her if the witch walked right up to her undisguised, telling her the truth of the fruit? Or what if that lovely lady told her the truth, would Snow White take it from the lovely lady? I think you know that the implication here is, no she would not have taken the fruit. The truth would set her free. Sound familiar?
The end of the story of Snow White comes with a similar ending, as Prince Charming saves Snow White and brings her back to life. Jesus does this for us. He brings us to life and frees us from the power of sin.
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed
So, if the truth is that Jesus has set you free, then why do we still sin? Even beyond that, why do many continue to be enslaved by sin?
It starts with satan's lies (entered into your thought-life), and taken action by your selfish desires (the flesh). The truth is that you are free, but you believing the lies, and acting on them enslaves you to sin. However, God's grace goes beyond your sin, so salvation is secure. However, you will live a defeated Christian life. On the contrary, if you believe God and stay in obedience to His Words, you will live free and victorious lives.
Don't keep eating the apple that leads to defeat.
Bear the fruit of the vine that leads to victory.
John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
Again, Satan is at the heart of all sin.
Do not be fooled by his crafty lies, that even look good and smooth. Remember, he comes as an angel of light. This means that he mimics the truth, making it look like the truth. Sometimes he actually tells you the truth and coerces you to sin. The truth in the garden was that Adam and Eve would know good apart from evil. God was protecting them from that. But satan enticed them with that truth, by saying, "you will know good from evil".
Satan is at the heart of all sin. Tell him to leave, in Jesus name. Simply speak it aloud, and he has to flee. You don't even need to pray it. Only one time does Jesus say that a particular stronghold needed prayer. Use your faith and speak aloud against the devil's schemes. First identify the lie, and speak truth against it. The thing is, you need to know God's word to speak truth. This is why it's so important to read and study His word. It is food for your soul.
Satan is at the heart of all sin. He doesn't want you to know that!