THE DEVIL’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE

1 PETER 5:8

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

We often hear, and rightly so, that God has a will for your life. That is so true that no knowledgeable person would argue the point. For instance, if you are lost God’s will is for you to be saved, to become a Christian. 2 Peter 3:9 declares, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

By the same token, if you are a believer, He wants you to live for Him. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” {Rm. 12:1-2]

That being said, have you ever consider the Devil also has a will for your life. The Devil’s will is certainly NOT for your god nor is it for God’s glory. Let us search the scriptures and discover the Devil’s will for your life. It can be summed up in three words – Blindness, Bondage and Blandness.

 

I. BLINDNESS [2 Cor. 4:3-6]

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness , hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

1. Satan Hates the True Gospel [Gal. 1:6-9]

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

 

2. Satan Doesn’t Mind So-called Christian Religion [2 Cor. 11: 3-4, 13-15]

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

3. Satan Doesn’t Mind Idolatry [1 Cor. 10:20 referencing Lev. 17:7]

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

 

4. Satan Doesn’t Even Mind Irreligion/atheism [Ps. 14:1, Mt. 7, Jn. 8]

Wise man builds on Jesus & His word, Satan is a liar and the Father of it.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

 

II. BONDAGE

 

1. In Hearing [Mt. 13:18-22]

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

 

2. In Thinking [James 3:13-17]

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure , then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

 

3. In Being [Eph. 2:1-3ff]

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins:; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

III. BLANDNESS

1. Satan Wants You to Think Like Lost Men [Matthew 16:23]

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

 

2. Satan Wants You to Stop Serving God [Luke 22:31]

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

 

3. Satan Wants to Hinder Your Ministry [1 Thessalonians 2:18]

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.