Topical Bible: The Devil: Hinders the Gospel

◄ The Devil: Hinders the Gospel ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Devil, also known as Satan, is depicted in the Bible as a powerful adversary to God and His purposes. One of the primary roles attributed to the Devil is his active opposition to the spread and acceptance of the Gospel. This entry explores the various ways in which the Devil hinders the Gospel, drawing on scriptural references to illustrate his tactics and influence.

Blinding the Minds of Unbelievers

A key strategy employed by the Devil is to blind the minds of those who do not believe, preventing them from seeing the truth of the Gospel. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the Apostle Paul writes, "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This verse highlights the Devil's role in obstructing spiritual perception, making it difficult for individuals to comprehend and accept the message of salvation.

Sowing Doubt and Deception

The Devil is also known for sowing doubt and spreading deception, which can lead individuals away from the truth of the Gospel. In John 8:44, Jesus describes the Devil as "a liar and the father of lies." This characteristic of deceit is evident in the way the Devil distorts God's word and truth, as seen in the temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5). By twisting the truth, the Devil seeks to undermine faith and create confusion about the Gospel message.

Snatching Away the Word

In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus illustrates how the Devil can snatch away the word of God from people's hearts. In Matthew 13:19, Jesus explains, "When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart." This imagery of the Devil as a thief underscores his intent to prevent the Gospel from taking root and bearing fruit in the lives of individuals.

Persecution and Opposition

The Devil also hinders the Gospel through persecution and opposition against believers. In 1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul expresses his frustration, saying, "For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us." This passage reveals the Devil's efforts to physically and spiritually obstruct the work of spreading the Gospel, often through instigating persecution or creating barriers to missionary efforts.

Temptation and Distraction

Another method the Devil uses to hinder the Gospel is through temptation and distraction. By enticing believers and non-believers alike with worldly desires and concerns, the Devil seeks to draw attention away from the Gospel. In 1 Peter 5:8, believers are warned, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This vigilance is necessary to resist the Devil's attempts to divert focus from the Gospel and its transformative power.

Conclusion

The Devil's opposition to the Gospel is multifaceted, involving spiritual blindness, deception, persecution, and distraction. Through these tactics, he seeks to prevent individuals from understanding, accepting, and living out the truth of the Gospel. Believers are called to be aware of these strategies and to rely on the power of God to overcome the Devil's hindrances.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 13:19
When any one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world has 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 to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xx. 30, About the Two Blind Men ...
... drove out the devils, "He hath a devil, and by ... the commandments of God which are
written in the Gospel. This multitude which is with the Lord hinders those who ...
/.../sermon xxxviii on the words.htm

Youthful Strength
... therefore, God helping me, and though the devil hinders me, I ... true, though Milton
put it into the devil's mouth ... both of them frequent in John's Gospel, and both ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/youthful strength.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xii. 32, "Whosoever Shall Speak ...
... themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are ... of us have laboured in preaching
the Gospel, he is ... shall that sin be forgiven, which hinders the forgiveness ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxi on the words.htm

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... Devil, the, tempts to curiosity in Divine mysteries, [745]28 ... 272; His Greatness as
the cause, hinders not the ... of, [981]32; readily accepted the Gospel, [982]33 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm

Second Part of the Book.
... thy sins shall be forgiven." And the Gospel says: "As ... that it masters the fiend,
and hinders him from ... all deadly sins, from temptation of the devil, and sudden ...
/.../second part of the book.htm

The Corruption of Man, his Conversion to God, and the Manner ...
... God by the instigation of the devil and by ... various ways renders wholly polluted,
and hinders in unrighteousness ... many as are called by the gospel are unfeignedly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the corruption of man his.htm

1 Cor. xvi. 1
... This shame is of the snare of the devil. ... about ourselves, but "have made the Gospel
without charge ... since the gathering little by little hinders all perception ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xliii 1 cor xvi.htm

Now that which we are Here Taught, is the Whole End of all ...
... through Christ that strengtheneth me"; nothing hinders all this ... greatness, rather
than be such a gospel fool for ... power of overcoming self, the devil, and the ...
/.../address 41 0 0 now that which.htm

When Celsus Adds, "We must Therefore Believe that Men are ...
... prison-house." It is written in the Gospel that a ... bowed down and bound by Satan,
who hinders them from ... who were under the dominion of the devil; and, speaking ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter liv when celsus adds.htm

Unfruitful Works of Darkness
... as powerful as"I was going to say even more than"the Gospel of peace ... A quaint old
writer says that the presence of a saint 'hinders the devil of elbow ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/unfruitful works of darkness.htm