The Plan of The Evil One

We hear about God’s plan for our life, but not much about the evil one’s plan for our life.  We know he comes only to steal, kill and destroy, read John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

We know he is a liar and the father of all lies.  John 8:44 says this, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

We also know he comes as a roaring lion, roaming about seeking who he may devour as it says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Where did he come from in the first place?  At one time he was a beautiful angel called Lucifer.  He was one of the angels who stood in the presence of God in heaven, probably one of the most intelligent of the angels.  He also goes by the name serpent, devil, dragon, angel of light or prince of darkness and so on; who was a beautiful angel which may have been his downfall along with the high position he held, as he was found to be with pride.

Read what it says in Isaiah 14:12-14, “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations! ‘But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’”

We know who he is, so we can know what his purpose is.  Read 1 Peter 5:8 again, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

He couldn’t rule heaven, so he is trying to rule the earth by lying, stealing, killing, conniving and deceiving and also destroying and to do it he uses every means possible at his disposal.  He is the believer’s enemy and uses men, women and the fallen angels, that he deceived while he was still in heaven, to do his bidding.  

Even though he was defeated in heaven he still had the gall to try to bring Jesus down and cause him to sin when He walked the earth.  Read Matthew 4:1-11, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him, ‘On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”

The evil one is angry and he is out to get everyone he can and destroy them.  What chance does mankind have against such an intelligent, powerful being?  We have only one and His name is Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son; He defeated the evil one at the cross, His ultimate victory, praise His name!!  All the forces of darkness couldn’t hold Him in the grave with everything they had; up from the grave He arose to win the victory and He is our only hope and the only hope of the whole world.  Satan has his plan, but God also has a plan which is by far greater, which was spoken to the Jews, His chosen people, in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

Jesus said this in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

It doesn’t get any better than the Christian life and like I said, the Lord is your only hope.  There is, and always will be, victory in Jesus!!  If you want that hope and victory and you don’t know how to get it, repent of your sins, which means to turn away from them, and ask Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of your life.  Tell Him you are sorry for your sins and ask Him to forgive you.  Don’t be in a hurry, take your time and let the Lord fill you with His peace, love and joy.  When that takes place you will walk away rejoicing, then share your new found faith with others and start growing in the faith.  Something to think about!  May you have a super day and may the good Lord bless you and yours!!