“Those who make a practice of sin are straight from the Devil, the pioneer in the practice of sin. The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the Devil's ways.”1 John 3:8 (The Message)
Jesus defeated death, and that means he also defeated Satan. In fact, that’s why he came to Earth. The Bible says, “The Son of God entered the scene to abolish the Devil's ways” (1 John 3:8 The Message).
What is the Devil’s work? He messes with your mind. He fills it with worry, guilt, resentment, anger, fear, and confusion. He whispers in your ear that you’re worthless, helpless, hopeless, and aimless.
Satan uses these thoughts and emotions to keep you enslaved.
The biggest tool Satan uses to mess with your life is fear. The Bible clearly says that fear doesn’t come from God: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18 NIV). The Bible also says, “God is love” (1 John 4:16 NIV). So when you’re afraid, that’s not from God—because there is no fear in love, and God is love.
As a pastor, I’ve learned the number one thing most people fear is death. Satan will use that fear to manipulate you.
But Jesus defeated death; he destroyed the Devil’s work. And so, when you as a Christian grieve a death, you grieve with hope.
You grieve because you miss those you’ve lost. You grieve, but you know that if they believed in Jesus, you will see them again in heaven. They are waiting there in that place where we all were designed to go in the first place.
In Hebrews 2:14-15, the Bible says, “Since all of these sons and daughters have flesh and blood, Jesus took on flesh and blood to be like them. He did this so that by dying he would destroy the one who had power over death (that is, the devil). In this way he would free those who were slaves all their lives because they were afraid of dying” (GW).
So whenever you feel fear creeping into your heart—whether it’s the fear of death or another fear—remember that fear isn’t from God. Then ask God to drive out that fear with his perfect love.
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In God’s Answers to Life’s Difficult Questions, Pastor Rick Warren takes you to the Bible to find practical, life-changing guidance for some of life’s biggest struggles.
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