Why You Don’t Have to Fear the Devil!
Luke12:4-7New International Version (NIV)Warnings and Encouragements
12 I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Jesus is not only encouraging his disciples about how God will provide for their every need but also about the challenges they will encounter when they are persecuted fir their faith. Then he says don’t be afraid of those who can kill your body but the one who has the authority to throw your body into hell. You might say, “Is Luke talking about the devil or God?”
At first I was thinking this might be the “evil one”, or the one we call “Satan” or the “devil”. But though the Bible tells us that the devil is our enemy and wants to steal, kill and destroy us. it never teaches that the devil has the power or authority to throw anyone into hell. Also the Bible does not teach us to fear anyone but God. There will be a time Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead but the Bible teaches us that God alone will make that decision.
And we know from the rest of the Gospels and letters from the Apostle Paul we are saved by grace through faith. When Jesus died in the cross he defeated sin, death and the power of the devil. So you don’t need fear the devil and you in fact have authority over him in Jesus’ name and authority. As 1 John says, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” That He is the Spirit of Christ who lives in you and one day will resurrect your body from the dead when Jesus returns.
Take a moment to realize the power you have been give to live Your new life in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians don’t utilize the power they have in Christ which is why they often lead defeated and ineffective lives.
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