How The Devil Plays A Role In Your Successes And Failures

The biggest trick of Satan was to make us believe that he did not exist. He is real alright. He plays a role
in this world...make no mistake. The good news is that history has been written and
we know the final outcome. Sometimes we get the idea that the fight between good
and evil Jesus and Satan are evenly matched. That is not so...Jesus can squash
Satan with a word and he will do so in the future.

God has even given us the tools to have power to fight off his attacks.

"But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come
upon you. Matt 12:28 (NKJV)

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are
subject to us in Your name." And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like
lightning from heaven. "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on
serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing
shall by any means hurt you. "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the
spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written
in heaven." Luke 10:17-20 (NKJV)

"That word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and
began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: "how God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went
about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for
God was with Him. Acts 10:37-38 (NKJV)

"I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to
whom I now send you, 'to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and
from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance
among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' Acts 26:17-18 (NKJV)

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the
heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your
waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet
with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you
will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Ephesians 6:11-17 (NKJV)

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He
will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you
double-minded. James 4:7-8 (NKJV)

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking
whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your
brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV)

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed
remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. The Imperative of Love. In this the children
of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he
who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:8-10 (NKJV)

See also Hell, Sin & Redemption, Temptation.