Category Archives: Devil

10 common satanic behaviors

Posted on December 10, 2014 by

How do we explain the truth that, “the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (I John 5:19)? It seems likely that his ways would be pervasively noticed throughout the world. And, in fact, we find this to be the case when we consider how common these ten characteristics are to human history. Continue reading →

Posted in Deception, Demons, Devil, Evil in the world, Evil One, Satan | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

An Assault on God’s Care

Posted on December 10, 2014 by

An explicit effort on the part of the evil one to assault the truth that God cares for His own. Continue reading →

Posted in Devil, God, God's Heart, Love, Satan | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What we must know about Satan

Posted on April 7, 2014 by

The great mystery of tension between the activity of Satan and the sovereignty of God is found in the trials of Job. Continue reading →

Posted in Anthropology, Devil, Evil in the world, Evil One, God's control, God's power, God's Protection, God's Will, Satan, Sovereignty, Theodicy, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The pathetic idea of flesh trying to be holy

Posted on January 8, 2014 by

The devil loves to invert truth and turn it into a lie, and probably what he has been saying to you is this: “Try not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh, and then you will walk in the Spirit,” as though the latter were a reward for the former. He knows that in this way, he will keep you preoccupied with yourself, instead of being preoccupied with Christ. Victory over the flesh is not to be attained — it is to be received. Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior, Christian Counselor, Church Leadership, Conflict, Counseling, Death of Christ, Devil, Encouragement, Following Christ, God's power, Gospel-centered, Grace, Guidelines for living, Holy Spirit, Legalism, New Christian, Regeneration, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Sanctification, Sin, Spirit filled, Spiritual Detox, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual growth, Spiritual transformation, Walking with God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Resolve anxiety through worship

Posted on October 30, 2013 by

Overcoming anxiety through worship is found in a very significant connection between I Peter 5:6 and 5:7. In our battle against anxiety, we are called to be worshipful and watchful — resting confidently in the transcending and protective peace of God. Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Christian Counselor, Contentment, Counseling, Depression, Despair, Devil, Discouragement, Evil One, Faith, God, God as Potter, God's control, God's Heart, God's Will, Gratitude, Parenting, Parenting teens, Peace, Praise, Prayer, Worry, Worship | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Sin is wrong and dumb – a form of self-abuse

Posted on August 30, 2013 by

Here is a deeply insightful reflection from one of my favorite authors, Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. It’s a bit long but well worth reading and discussing.   “The shortest and clearest way to state the relation between sin and foolishness is … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol addiction, Blessed by God, Deception, Devil, Drug addiction, Envy and Jealousy, Fools, Humanism, Lust, Origin of Sin, Pride, Problem of evil, Self esteem, Self love, Self-deception, Selfishness, Sin | 1 Comment

What do we know about satan?

Posted on June 24, 2013 by

“Men don’t believe in a devil now, As their fathers used to do; They reject one creed because it’s old For another because it’s new. If the devil is voted not to be, Is the verdict, therefore, true? Someone is surely doing the work The devil … Continue reading →

Posted in Deception, Devil, Satan, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Struggle Theology

Posted on June 3, 2013 by

While reading some feedback on Tim Challies’ post “Desecration and Titillation,” I recalled a quote from a series of messages I gave many years ago. It came from the book, “Flirting with the Devil,” by Bill Pride and has to … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance, Christian life, Confession, Conflict, Counseling, Deception, Devil, Doubt, Mind Renewal, Pornography, Regeneration, Repentance, Resurrection, Salvation, Sanctification, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Victory | 11 Comments

A closer look at the effects of Adam’s sin

Posted on May 15, 2013 by

There has been a good bit of recent focus on the historical personhood of Adam. Interestingly, after Genesis 5, the Old Testament does not mention Adam. He doesn’t reappear in Scripture until the genealogy of Jesus. There is a kind of … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Anthropology, Audio, Audio Resource, Cain, Depravity, Depression, Devil, Evil in the world, Evil One, Hamartiology, Hermeneutics, Human depravity, Origin of Sin, Problem of evil, Reformed Theology, Salvation, Sin, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The history of evil

Posted on September 21, 2012 by

The ambition of an angel led to the suspicion of Eden (that the best life is outside of the will of God not within it). This led to the delusion of self-rule (which only resulted in bondage to sin and death). The cycle continues — ambition, suspicion, delusion, death.

Creation took its first turn toward disaster when the ambition of angles incited a revolt against the Creator. It was a delusional and arrogant bid for autonomy.

How irrational for a created being to think of autonomy as a possibility! The only real option for created beings is dependence. It’s a delusional and dangerous fantasy for creatures to make a bid for self-rule and self-determination. Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, Afraid to die, Afterlife, Anthropology, Atheism, Atheists, Christian worldview, Christianity, Creation, Death, Death of Christ, Depravity, Despair, Devil, Evil in the world, Evil One, Fear of death, Forgiveness, Freedom, God, God's Patience, God's Heart, God's Will, Gospel, Grace, Hamartiology, History, Imago Dei, In Christ, Jesus Christ, Loss, Mercy, Origin of Sin, Problem of evil, Punishment, Radical love, Reconciliation, Repentance, Resurrection, Salvation, Self-deception, Sin, Suffering, Theodicy, True Christianity?, Violence, Wisdom, Worldview | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments