Interesting Questions-75

Does the devil really exist?

Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, March 1997, p.2

I HAVE MY doubts about the existence of the devil.   If I would try to put myself in the Lord's shoes, why would I create the devil or something that would make life difficult?

Elmer Deles
Metro Manila, Philippines

Editor's reply:

             The holy Scriptures teach the existence of the devil who is also called Satan. However, we must understand that God did not create him to be characterized by wickedness. What God created was a guardian cherub included among His holy angels:

            “You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.” (Ezek. 28:14-15, New International Version)

            The anointed cherub whom God ordained was created blameless and perfect. He was not made to become the devil – he was not meant to go against God’s will. But , as the verse states, wickedness was found in the anointed cherub. What was the evil that God saw in the cherub He had made?

            “How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart,’I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High’.” (Is 14:12-14, Ibid.)

            Seeing his perfection, the anointed cherub aspired to be like God and wanted to put himself in the throne of the almighty. Because of arrogance and pride that God saw in Him, he was flung down to earth and became the devil or Satan.

            The devil, as God’s adversary, opposes God’s will for mankind. To do this, he resorts to lies being the father of them (cf. I Pt. 5:8-9; Job 2:7, Acts 10:38).

            The devil has deceived the whole world (except the true Christians) of which he is the temporary ruler until Judgment Day when he and all those deceived by him will be thrown into the lake of fire to be tormented forever and ever (cf. Rev. 12:9; II Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20:10). True Christians (members of the true Church of Christ) must vehemently oppose him by not giving in to his wiles so that they will be saved come Judgment Day (cf. Eph. 6:11).

            God is not to blame for the difficulties and hardships that man experiences in this life. We must remember that when God created man, He saw to it that man would not be wanting in anything. He put the first man in the garden of Eden, a paradise where peace and abundance reigned, where death was unknown, and sin did not yet exist. To safeguard this ideal set – up, God gave His commandments for man to obey. However, the first couple gave in to the temptation of the serpent or the devil and disobeyed God’s command. As the result, He cursed them and the ground (cf. Gen. 2:8, 15-17; 3:1-19,22-23). After the Fall, life then became difficult for man. This deplorable fate that has be fallen him was brought about by his own disobedience.

 

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Bible Study Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question you have in mind.