You don't want to be a pawn of the devil

What would the devil say or do in any situation?

How would the devil say or do it?

If you're a disciple, a follower, a learner of the Lord Jesus Christ, you wouldn't want to say or do as the devil.

If we're influenced or controlled even temporarily by the prince of this world, John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11 the god of this world, 2 Corinthians 4:4 then in that situation, we're the devil's pawns.

A pawn is someone who is controlled by another.

Think of puppet strings on a puppet. 

None of us wants to think or believe that this could happen to us.

Jesus identified that it's the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. John 10:10

He said that the devil is the enemy who plants bad seeds among the good. Matthew 13:24-25, 37-39; 1 Peter 5:8 

The devil is a deceiver. Revelation 20:3, 10

The devil has wiles, schemes, tactics, and devices 2 Corinthians 2:10-11; Ephesians 6:11 to steal away the word of the kingdom of God Mark 4:15 and to hinder believers. 1 Thessalonians 2:18

BE CAREFUL

Peter replied, "Even if I have to die with You [Jesus], I will never deny You."

And all the other disciples said the same thing. Matthew 26:35

But they were wrong. 

They became temporary pawns of the devil when they abandoned Jesus.

Then everyone deserted Him and fled. Mark 14:50

Jesus foretold that Peter would deny Him 3 times. 

"Truly I tell you," Jesus declared, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Matthew 26:34

Peter said that this would NEVER happen. Matthew 26:35

But Peter denied the Lord 3 times just as Jesus had predicted. Matthew 26:69-75

Jesus said that one of the original 12 disciples would betray Him. Mark 14:18

None could imagine that this would be true of any of them. Mark 14:19; John 13:22

The devil put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus. John 13:2

Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. Luke 22:3

Two Christians taught that the resurrection of believers had already happened. 2 Timothy 2:17-18

Paul wrote that they were wrong. 2 Timothy 2:16-18

They had become pawns of the devil. 2 Timothy 2:26

Paul revealed that the Holy Spirit had expressed clearly that some will depart from the faith because they'll listen to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. 1 Timothy 4:1

The devil will make them his pawns. 2 Timothy 2:26

Peter wrote that there would be false teachers AMONG BELIEVERS. 2 Peter 2:1

These false believers 2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4 would "secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves." 2 Peter 2:1

They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude v.4

John wrote that there is a spirit of truth and a spirit of error [deception]. 1 John 4:6

This is in contrast to the Holy Spirit Whom Jesus said is the Spirit of truth Who would guide believers into all truth. John 14:26; 16:13

The spirit of error would be the devil's spirit, 1 John 4:1-3 walking around seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

To make pawns, the devil may whisper by seductive words LIES that appear to be true to spiritual infants. Romans 16:17-18; Ephesians 4:14; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:13

The devil may control some to act like sheep even though they're wolves Matthew 7:15 and others to attack like wolves. Acts 20:29

BELIEVERS OFF THE RIGHT PATH

Christians are cautioned to be on guard when they restore those who sinned so that they also wouldn't be tempted. Galatians 6:1

Some will fall away because they crucify the Son of God all over again and subject Him to open shame. Hebrews 6:6; 10:28-29

The devil may entice believers to heap to themselves teachers, having spiritual ears that need to be scratched as they turn from the truth and embrace myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

The devil might allow believers to come in the name of Jesus. Matthew 24:4-5 

BUT they will deceive many Matthew 24:5 and corrupt and twist enough Scriptures so that they and their followers will shipwreck their faith. 2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Timothy 1:19; 2 Peter 3:16  

The devil may inspire believers to draw away followers after themselves Acts 20:30 as they distort the truth. 1 Timothy 1:3, 6-7; 6:3-5; Titus 1:13-14

The Lord Jesus Christ told John to write what he would see, which included what Jesus said about 7 churches. Revelation 1:10-11; 2:1-29; 3:1-22

Some of those believers seemed to be manipulated into being pawns of the devil.

They were liars who falsely claimed to be apostles. Revelation 2:2

They falsely claimed to be Jews and were of the synagogue [a Jewish church] of Satan. Revelation 2:9

They ate food sacrificed to idols, committed sexual immorality, and learned the so-called deep things of Satan. Revelation 2:14-15, 20, 24

LANDING PLACES FOR THE DEVIL

To make someone a pawn, what will the devil use?

DESIRES for pleasure and sin rather than for the Lord. 2 Timothy 3:4; Hebrews 11:25

CRAVINGS for things other than the word of the Lord. Mark 4:19; Luke 8:11, 14

Believers are to be kind and tenderhearted, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave them. Ephesians 4:32

UNFORGIVENESS is one of the devices of the devil that believers should understand and NOT have. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11

Be angry, yet do not sin. Ephesians 4:26

There IS righteous anger.

Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart.

Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."

So he stretched it out, and it was restored. Mark 3:5

But don't let RIGHTEOUS ANGER linger into the night. Ephesians 4:26 

Instead, cast that concern upon the Lord because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

And grow spiritually to be slow to release UNRIGHTEOUS ANGER because human anger doesn't work the righteousness of God the Father. James 1:19-20

And do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:27

YOU CAN RESIST THE DEVIL

Jesus said, "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons;" Mark 16:17

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil's schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11

Submit yourselves, then, to God. 

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Be sober-minded and alert.

Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 1 Peter 5:8-9

JESUS HAS TRIUMPHED FOR YOU

Let the following WINNING words wash away defeat.

Jesus said, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation.

But take courage; I have overcome the world!" John 16:33

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. Romans 8:37

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, Who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. 2 Corinthians 2:14

He [God the Father] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son [Jesus],

in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:15

You, little children, are from God and have overcome them [false prophets in verse 1], because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Who then overcomes the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:5

Yes, you and I CAN overcome. Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21

Your thoughts?

R. Jason