Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

1 John 3:7-8

 

We’ve been talking a lot about Jesus over the past while. It has been good to think about him and all he is for us. Good to realize how much he loves us!

But although Jesus loves us, the Bible also tells us there’s a devil who hates us and wants to pull us back to the way we were before we accepted Jesus as our Saviour. The devil makes his home with people you would least expect – people who seem good on the surface but are actually deceivers.

The Bible has much to say about evil. But I suspect that many of us don’t pay much attention to those parts of Scripture. I know I didn’t until only recently. I used to gloss over them, not noticing. I preferred to focus on more positive verses. This can easily happen, especially if such scriptures haven’t been brought to your attention in church. And evil is not a popular topic at churches.

But speaking about sin and the devil is important. In fact, talking about evil creates good opportunities to bring attention to the opposite, Jesus – he who came to the world to save us from evil. He who came to “destroy the works of the devil.” It gives us a reason to remember Jesus – his righteousness and our need to keep him close and follow his example. Jesus saved us from sin by sacrificing himself on the cross. We could have no better friend.

As we focus on Jesus we can see the great contrast between his goodness and truth and the lies and false witness of his counterpart, the devil. That’s why we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. On him alone.

Satan would love to draw us from the love we have for Jesus. With his underhanded lies he will try to lure us away from God’s protection.

But if we are God’s children, we will know that God is the only one we can trust. We don’t have to submit to the deception of the devil. When we stay close to Jesus we can stand STRONG.

With all your soul, worship God’s Son on Sunday. Through the week spend time with him. Read your Bible. Pray. ENJOY being with him. ENJOY his company.

You will be safe in the arms of Jesus.

marja