Life is hard! I know I’m not telling you anything new. If you’ve lived for twenty or more years you’ve faced some difficult times. Whether it’s people, situations or health problems inevitably come. We live in a world that has been stained by sin. Sin is at the root of this world system- I don’t know about you but most of the time I feel like the cards are stacked against me. That’s because the world is just that – the world, a system of governing by man. Need I say more? Yup from the begining of time. God created Adam and Eve and they chose to listen to that liar, the evil one, satan. He deceived Eve and that was it, she tells Adam it’s good to make us wise and Adam did the same as Eve. He ate the one fruit that the Lord said not to eat – all the other fruit in the lush and beautiful garden was for them but no, believing that God was holding something back from them, they ate and satan did a happy dance! He knew he won! You see they made a choice to follow him instead of God their good Father you see God indeed was holding something back from them – the knowledge of good and evil- we think of that as no big deal but you must understand that Adam and Eve were pure, innocent, they were clothed with His majesty, God’s glory. They knew God, they had a wonderful relationship with the God of the universe – the consequence of their disobedience? Sin entered the world, after all their first two sons had a falling out and Cain killed his brother! Wow!
I wish someone would have told me this years ago when I was first born-again! Oh I knew the world was evil, I had experienced enough of that first hand. But I thought once I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior life would be different- it would be sunshine and roses! The fact of the matter is, we still live in this world and we have an enemy – he goes by many names; Beelzebub, satan, murderer, thief, snake, deceiver, liar, and god of this world! Wait what? Who said that? ….Jesus did. He said to the cold hearted religious leaders of the day, “you follow your father the devil”, it means those who are not born-again are doing the things that describe satan (read the list above) just like children imitate their parents. Satan is the prince of the power of the air or of this world. He rules and reigns on the earth 2 Corinthians 4:4
Look around you, do you think that murder is from God? How about all the sexually deviant behavior in the world – that doesn’t come from a Holy and Righteous God- it can’t. He has no evil to give to you! Have you ever really asked yourself what that means. If not, you should.
God is not actually in control of this earth, this earth has been cursed – Not because God can’t be in control, but because He set up the rules. We are in a world ruled by satan- we all have free choice every day of our lives. The difference for a born-again believer is the Holy Spirit lives within you. The Holy Spirit is God, and He loves you, He is 💯 % for you!
When satan was thrown down to earth and a third of the angels that rebelled with him, they are chained in hell.(II Peter 2:4 and Jude 6) satan became the ruler or small “g” god of this world. He probably thought this was a pretty good gig until Adam and Eve came along. They were made in His image and covered with the very glory of God Almighty! They were to rule and reign on the earth as they walked and talked with God! Satan has demons that do his bidding. he tortures them, he gives them assignments and they try to carry them out. Why is this important?
they can only carry out their evil assignments if people cooperate. They need humans, they can influence us and if possible will possess a body (though a believer can’t be possessed they can be influenced if you choose to listen)
This is a very important point we must remember who influences people to act corruptly – lying, cheating, killing, evil is manifest when a human bows the knee to satan and his minions. it’s real, it’s happening everyday all day everywhere we go! Listen, let’s make a short list of some of the attributes of God and attributes of satan
God
Love, Holy, Glorious, Life, Truth, Righteous, Peace, Joy, Lovely, Perfect
satan
murderer, deceiver, killer, liar, wicked, evil
These are just a few character traits but we will use this list to make a point. If someone attacks me, who caused it or who is behind it according to the two lists? You see God has no evil in Him, God doesn’t cause bad things to happen – the devil does. God didn’t temp Eve to eat the fruit- God gave them free choice, satan tempted them. Who puts jealousy in the hearts of men? Satan can not make people do things but he tempts us just like he did with Eve.
If I believed that God the Father was behind the evil in this world, then how could I go and earnestly pray to Him- I would be double minded. For example,
“ Father, protect me- “if it’s Your will” that is being double minded. I’m not asking believing that He is a good Father who loves me and therefore it is already His desire to protect me. That’s more like, maybe He will If… but if what? Would there ever be a case when it would not be His desire to protect me? No! Gods desire and will is always perfect, always!
God designed you, He loves you, He called you by name before you were ever born. God never will force you to listen to Him though. You were created with a free will – you always have a choice. His desire is that you accept His free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. After all as a loving Father, He paid the ultimate price by delivering His own Son, His precious one and only Son as the sacrifice for us to be born-again. For you and I to be filled with His very Spirit. He, the Holy Spirit is always communicating with us to reveal Gods best. God always has a plan and it is always good, we have free choice though- satan and his demons are working on this earth to disrupt Gods plans. He is our enemy because we are made in the image of God. His one focus is still the same as it was, to be the ultimate ruler- to be God!
Now, when the world comes at us- when satan tempts us. We have a way of escape! we call on that wonderful Name! Jesus! Beautiful, Wonderful Savior! Yes, He is always on our side and with us, we are never left alone! He makes a way of escape but we must ask Him and listen- it’s our choice.
When we are in a relationship with Jesus Christ – we have the privileges that come with being a child of the King and a bride of Christ! We have instant access to Him because He lives in us. We can speak to Him and He answers us. He has also anointed us. In addition, he has put his seal of ownership on us and has given us the Spirit as His guarantee. He has given us spiritual gifts. There are angels assigned to us, they await instructions.
To understand the wealth of our position, He enables us to hear from our God instantly. He witnesses to our spirit. You may also hear Him, in other words it’s a voice inside that you can tell is not your own voice and not a prompting but rather a directness, you come to know that voice and as with all relationships over time you just speak to Him and He speaks with you! Wonderful. as we read His Word, we come to know Him in a very personal way – His Word is living and active!
Every time I think of Jesus I am acknowledging He is my Savior, my safe place, my covering, my strength! And He loves it so!
Think of your Savior throughout the day, speak with Him and take time to listen. Read His Word and He draws near to you! Oh how He loves it! Every time you think of Him! He is the way, the Truth and the Life. He is the answer. Go His way it’s always the right way! even when we sin, Jesus has already paid the price for all sin for all time; past, present and future! So, confess your sin and He is faithful to righteous to forgive us of our sin. It is finished- you are in right relationship with The Father, He will never leave you! God is not to blame for the evil in this world but remember satan is a created being, oh he has power for a time in this world but he is in no way equal to God. The day will come that he will be judged by God Almighty and He will be thrown into the Lake of fire which was prepared for him and his followers. And we will live forever with the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and all the saints! A new Heaven and a new earth with no evil, no heart ache, no death pm- ever! Be at peace, Love you 💕
Linda