(Banner photo: an artist’s concept of the devil)
Firstly, great emphasis is given that the contents of this series are intended to give Biblical information and insights on some of its contents. They are not intended to scare or offend anyone. It is one’s prerogative to read and never be shoved into one’s throat.
This piece is a simple sharing of bible passages. It doesn’t endorse any specific faith, religion, denomination, system of beliefs or theology aside from those in the bible.
It is in the “exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference” as provided by The Philippine Constitution that this article was made.
If you find them scary, intimidating or offensive, please feel free to take them with a grain of salt and regard them like a badly written movie script.
The bible says there is a devil
While there are many tales narrated by the bible, one thing remains clear from start to finish: There is a devil who rebelled and continues to rebel against God.
8He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8, New King James Version
10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10, NKJV
The devil dragged humans along to be involved in this godly battle he started:
…she [Eve] took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband [Adam] with her, and he ate… And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent…I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed…. Genesis 3: 6, 14-15, New King James Version
The LORD’s model prayer emphasized one to ask for God’s deliverance against the devil:
9“This, then, is how you should pray:…. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9,13, New International Version
The bible also sets a clear warning: Believers should be wary of the devil; he causes trouble than you ever imagined
The Paul also made it clear in his letter to the Corinthians, believers should be aware of Satan’s works so they would not be taken advantage of.
11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11, NIV
The better you know about this enemy and acknowledge his schemes, the safer you become against consequences of his trap. It is, therefore, wise to know the devil and what he is up to.
Here are some bible verses that shares wisdom about God’s enemy:
Keep learning about the devil and his schemes: (Click to go straight to specific bible description of God’s enemy):
Who is the devil?
He believes there is one God and he fears Him
He is inferior to the Godhead
He is known by many names and titles
He stays away from true subjects of God unless permitted
He doesn’t fear his subjects
He has control over the authority and splendor of the kingdoms of the earth
Why is the devil an enemy of God?
He rebelled against God and tried to become his equal
He demands worship which is dangerous for man to give in
He is sinful and wants to make many like him
The devil has an army
False Prophets
What kinds of trouble he causes humans?
Demons can possess humans and animals
Demons possess humans because they want to make the human body their home, competing with the Holy Spirit
He prosecutes and troubles sharers of the gospel
He blinds minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel
He sets traps and takes his victims captives
He murders, steals, destroys and lies
He accuses
He deceives through crafty means
What is the endgame of his schemes and acts?
He and his demons will be tortured in due time
The people who joins him is also destined to join him in the lake of fire
What can believers do against the devil?
He is not to be feared by believers even though he more powerful than a human
Honor and glorify God above else when dealing with the devil
Who is the devil?
He believes there is one God and he fears Him
19You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! James 2:19, NKJV
2And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 6When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” Mark 5:2, 6-7, NKJV
8For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. Mark 5:2, 6-10 , NKJV
He is inferior to the Godhead
There is no real war between God and the devil because the devil is still a subject of God. The devil is unable to sustain a competitive matchup and he is destined to lose.
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4, NKJV
2He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years Revelation 20:2, NKJV
20And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. Romans 16:20, NKJV
He is known by many names and titles
The evil one
Here’s the model prayer again, highlighting the Lord called the devil this name.
13And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:13, NKJVSatan; the devil; serpent of old; the great dragon
9So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9, NKJV
Lucifer; Son of the morning
12“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! Isaiah 14:12, NKJV
The wicked one
19When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. Matthew 13:19, NKJV
The Tempter
4In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain. 1 Thessalonians 3:4-5, NIV
Belzeebub
24Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” Matthew 12:24, NKJV
Belial
15And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 2 Corinthians 6:15, NKJV
Abaddon / Apollyon
11And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. Revelation 9:11, NKJV
He also stays away from true subjects of God unless permitted
Scriptures say true alliance with God can make the devil stay at bay:
6But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7, NKJV
Scriptures, however, stated true believers can be attacked supernaturally by the enemy if permitted by God:
12And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he [Job] has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” Job 1:12, NKJV; 6And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he [Job] is in your hand, but spare his life.” Job 2:6, NKJV.
He doesn’t fear his subjects
If the previous sections have not yet convinced you of the godly battle, this section will clearly establish the divide between the conflict between God and Satan. It also shows devil’s subjects are powerless against their leader.
Observe how Jesus treated somebody they don’t personally know who casts out evil spirits successfully:
38“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. Mark 9: 38-40, NIV
Then compare that with this one, an incident where the name of Jesus was used to cast out an evil spirit by a non-believer:
13Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:13-16, NKJV
Satan knows who is to fear and who is not.
He has control over the authority and splendor of the kingdoms of the earth
5The devil led Him [Jesus] up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7So if you worship me, it will all be yours.” Luke 4:5-7, NKJV
19We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 1 John 5:19, NIV
Why is the devil an enemy of God?
He rebelled against God and tried to become his equal
Here are the words of the Lord intended to be delivered to the king of Tyre but is clearly speaking of a supernatural being.
12“Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord God: “You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings.
On the day that you were created they were prepared. 14You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. 15You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you.
16In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.
18By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries; so I brought fire out from your midst; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all who saw you. 19All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.”, Ezekiel 28:12-19, English Standard Version
The subject being described is definitely not a human being, its was somebody who was a cherub before casted to the ground. Besides, no human aside from Adam and Eve had been to Eden.
Satan was in Eden and is an angelic-like being based on his other descriptions.
It will be recalled Revelation 12:7-8 narrates Satan and his demons fought with Michael and his angels and eventually lost.
He rebelled against being under God’s authority because he wants to become like the Most High:
12“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Isaiah 14:12-14, NKJV
This was again addressed to a human being, the king of Babylon but is clearly referring to a supernatural being. The King James version translated the verse pointing to the recipient as Lucifer.
He demands worship which is dangerous for man to give in
8Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” 11Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:8-11, NKJV
He is sinful and wants to make many like him
9Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Acts 13:10, NIV
10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. 1 John 3:10, NIV
3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. Luke 22:1-6, NIV
3But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? Acts 5:3, NKJV
The devil has an army
Fallen angels and demons
Scriptures say Satan has his own “angels” when fighting against God.
7And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought Revelation12:7, NKJV.
Scriptures also made it clear, there is some sort of hierarchy among these fallen angels.
12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:11-12, NIV
False prophets
Jesus was harsh to spiritual teachers who don’t play by God’s rules. He gave them the business and never held back when speaking about them.
He was very clear to His believers how to treat these people.
15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:15-20, NKJV
Other men of God did the same thing, fired warning shots harshly against false prophets:
7But when he [John the Baptist] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 3:7-8, ESV
12But what I [Paul} do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:12-13, NKJV
What kinds of trouble he causes humans?
Demons can possess humans and animals
16When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He [Jesus] cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick Matthew 8:16, NKJV
31So the demons begged Him [Jesus], saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” Matthew 8:31, NKJV
2And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. Mark 5:2-5, NKJV
Demons possess humans because they want to make the human body their home, competing with the Holy Spirit
43“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:43-45, NKJV
19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
He prosecutes and troubles sharers of the gospel
7or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Acts 12:7, New International Version
31[Jesus speaking]“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. Luke 22:31, NIV
10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Revelation 2:10, NKJV
18For we wanted to come to you, certainly I, Paul, did, again and again, but Satan blocked our way. 1 Thessalonians 2:18, NIV
He blinds minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel
3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 2 Corinthians 4:3-5, NIV
43Why is my [Jesus’] language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:42-44, NIV
He sets traps and takes his victims captives
Paul reminds this warning to Timothy:
26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:26, NIV
He murders, steals, destroys and lies
10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10, NKJV
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV
He accuses
10Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Revelation 12:10 New King James Version
He once accused Job of serving God only because he still has his health:
3Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”
4“Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Job 2:3-4, NIV
He also did it to Joshua:
1Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” Zechariah 3:1-2, NIV
He deceives through crafty means
3But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 NIV
14And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 NKJV
1Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:1-5, NIV
What is the endgame of his schemes and acts?
He and his demons will be tortured in due time
28When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” Matthew 8:28-29, NIV
10The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[a] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10, NKJV
The people who joins him is also destined to join him in the lake of fire
Here’s a lesson from the parable of the weeds
24Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
28“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”
36Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
37He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.
41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear. Matthew 13:24-43, NIV
What can believers do against the devil?
He is not to be feared by believers even though he more powerful than a human
The devil is an adversary to man who is, unfortunately, more powerful than a human being. He, however not to be feared by believers.
7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV
As mentioned earlier, James mentioned submission to God as an antidote for the devil. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7, NKJV
Paul also mentioned the Armour of God (truth, righteousness, readiness, faith, and the Word of God) and prayer as other weapons to ward the enemy.
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:13-18, NIV
Honor and glorify God above else when dealing with the devil
The scriptures had been abundantly clear in emphasizing that worship and glorifying God is not a thing to be ignored. God was pictured as a jealous God when speaking about whom worship is given to.
Becoming a follower and subject of God will gift one with power over the devil. Not all can have this gift and believers are given certain responsibility in glorifying God when wielding this power.
Recall what happened this power was misused by unbelievers in casting out an evil spirit using the name of Jesus. Here’s how the Lord is glorified after their emphatic failure to remove the spirit from its host human body:
17This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. Acts 19:17-20, NKJV
The Lord will eventually deal with these kinds of people accordingly:
22Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:22-23, NKJV
Purpose of the bible
The bible made clear what kind of book is it. It is intended for those who want eternal life. It is not a medical, science, logic or history book. Many tend to forget this.
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. John 5:39-40, New King James Version
It also made its theme clear. While there are many tales narrated by the bible, one thing remains clear from start to finish: Humans caught in a crossfire between powerful adversaries and one of them, a loving God, is offering redemption/salvation.
The bible says the devil rebelled and continues to rebel against God and dragged humans along to be involved in this godly battle he started.
7And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. Revelation 12:7-8, NKJV
…she [Eve] took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband [Adam] with her, and he ate… And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” So the Lord God said to the serpent…I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed…. Genesis 3: 6, 14-15, NKJV
12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Luke 8:12, NIV
God’s love and the danger posed prompted Jesus to come to earth and provided everyone a way to get out of the mess.
16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16, NKJV
8He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8, NKJV
These verses encapsulates what the new testament is for. If you are encourage by these verses, you are invited to search the bible deeper and find out more about Jesus and his teachings.
Conservative approach
The presence of spirits and unexplainable events and multiple scientific, medical, and logical reasons that supports the bible and its authors’ credibility project a possibility that God do exists. If you are still unconvinced of the existence of God despite these proofs, being conservative might be the best alternative here.
Accountants describe conservatism as selecting the option that would show the worst possible financial standing of a business entity when two or more unproven alternatives are available. This is to remove the user of the account’s output be exposed to a bigger risk in case the worst possible scenario happens.
As it stands, the risk of not believing in and obeying God far outweighs the benefits of doubting his existence. It might be best to act conservatively, believe what the bible says, until you have absolutely proven that there is indeed no God nor hell.
By: Armando M. Bolislis
If you are inspired and want to give Jesus a try, continue a deeper search of the bible, especially the New Testament. This will show you how to become his disciple. Always ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in your search.
If you feel the want or need to belong to a Christian church or organization, find one that preaches the Word of God and will help you improve your relationship with Christ and lead you to his eternal promises.
The theologies and doctrines about faith contained in this article are solely from God through the bible. The author is just an instrument used to spread the word for the glory of God. The personal opinions and suggestions on issues outside of biblical coverage from the author doesn’t necessarily reflect the stance of Baguio Herald Express management and staff.