Topical Bible: The Devil: The Wicked: Troubled By

◄ The Devil: The Wicked: Troubled By ►

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The Devil, also known as Satan, is a central figure in Christian theology, representing the embodiment of evil and opposition to God. Throughout the Bible, the Devil is depicted as a tempter, deceiver, and accuser, actively working against the purposes of God and seeking to lead humanity astray. The wicked, those who reject God's commandments and live in sin, are particularly susceptible to the Devil's influence and are often troubled by his schemes.

Temptation and Deception

The Devil's primary method of troubling the wicked is through temptation and deception. In the Garden of Eden, he appeared as a serpent to deceive Eve, leading to the fall of humanity (Genesis 3:1-6). This act of deception set a precedent for his ongoing efforts to lead people away from God's truth. Jesus Himself warned of the Devil's deceptive nature, stating, "He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44).

Accusation and Condemnation

The Devil is also known as the accuser of the brethren, constantly seeking to bring charges against God's people. In the book of Job, Satan appears before God to accuse Job of being faithful only because of his prosperity (Job 1:9-11). This role as an accuser is further highlighted in Revelation 12:10, where he is described as "the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them day and night before our God" . The wicked, who live outside of God's grace, are particularly vulnerable to the Devil's accusations, as they lack the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.

Spiritual Blindness

The Devil also troubles the wicked by blinding them to spiritual truths. 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 spiritual blindness prevents the wicked from recognizing their need for salvation and keeps them ensnared in sin.

Bondage to Sin

The Devil's influence over the wicked is further seen in their bondage to sin. Jesus declared, "Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin" (John 8:34). The wicked, under the Devil's sway, find themselves trapped in sinful patterns and unable to break free without divine intervention. This bondage is a direct result of the Devil's work, as he seeks to keep individuals from experiencing the freedom found in Christ.

Fear and Torment

Finally, the Devil troubles the wicked through fear and torment. Hebrews 2:14-15 speaks of Christ's victory over the Devil, stating that through His death, He destroyed "him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death" . The wicked, lacking the assurance of salvation, live in fear of death and judgment, a fear that the Devil exploits to keep them in spiritual bondage.

In summary, the Devil actively troubles the wicked through temptation, deception, accusation, spiritual blindness, bondage to sin, and fear. These tactics serve to keep individuals separated from God and ensnared in a life contrary to His will. The Bible provides numerous warnings and insights into the Devil's schemes, urging believers to remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 16:14
But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That Evil Comes of Sloth, and virtue from Diligence, and that ...
... On this account he left the wicked in the midst ... of the flesh, and this the Devil
destroyed on ... This indeed especially troubled and disturbed him, to think that ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iii that evil comes.htm

An Exhortation to the People of God not to be Discouraged in their ...
... Their Way, by the Scoffs and Contempt of Wicked Men. ... manner of sorrow, and be no
more troubled with the ... for your own soul's welfare, but the devil is dissuading ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/an exhortation to the people.htm

John xiv. 15-17
... "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.". ... By "ruler of this world,"
He meaneth the devil, calling wicked men also by the same name. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxv john xiv 15-17.htm

Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith.
... blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; 15 but ... and a loving
heart, not allowing yourself, on account of the devil and wicked men, to ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fifth sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

Whether Christ's Birth Should have Been Made Known to Some?
... a successor to his kingdom: the devil, a heavenly ... thy scepter." That the Jews were
troubled, who, on ... was either because, as Chrysostom says, "wicked men could ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs birth should have 2.htm

How, by the Contrivance of the Devil, Brother Juniper was ...
... And Brother Juniper was no way troubled thereat, but rather ... seeing the signs given
by the devil, commanded that a ... indeed that the days of my wicked life are ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter iii how by the.htm

Power Hindered.
... Every vain thought and idle word, and every wicked deed, is ... He cast out devils by
the power of the devil. ... has left any, they will not be troubled about their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter v power hindered.htm

V. ...
... But be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled, but sanctify God in your
hearts. Here St. ... If God sends the devil or wicked people upon you to punish ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iii v .htm

Articles vii and viii: of the Church.
... wicked belong to the kingdom and body of the devil, who impels and holds captive
the wicked. ... For it bids no one to be troubled, even though his brethren ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 11 articles vii and.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... (3) They are reproved who are so wicked as to ... his house being set on fire: the other
being troubled in conscience ... A perjured person is the devil's excrement. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm