Our culture loves to be scared – we love scary movies, TV shows about zombies, haunted houses, etc. These things can be “fun” because they give us an adrenaline rush. Plus, at the end of the horror movie you can turn it off and go to sleep telling yourself that none of it was real. It’s easy to treat the devil this same way. The fact that heaven and angels are real makes us feel great; but the fact that the devil is real scares people so much they mythologize him. The devil isn’t Elizabeth Hurley in a red dress or George Burns in a red sport coat.
This weekend we’re going to talk about why it’s important to know the devil is real so that we’re equipped to resist temptation and overcome evil. The Bible tells us exactly who the devil is and what he’s here to do. John 10:10 says he’s here “only to steal and kill and destroy.” He tempts, accuses and attacks believers in Jesus and he’s good at it! He’s been at this for a long time.
We believe the devil is real, but we also believe the power of Jesus is real. Jesus is more powerful than the devil and will defeat him! When the devil comes to tempt and try you, remind yourself that he has no power over you. When he comes reminding you of your past and tries to drag you back, remind him of his future. His future is the eternal lake of fire (Rev. 19:20) while those of us who identify with the death, burial and resurrection are promised eternal life in a real place called heaven.
There are only two supernatural teams and two supernatural destinations. Don’t you want to be on the winning side?