Topical Bible: The Devil: The Wicked: Turn Aside After

◄ The Devil: The Wicked: Turn Aside After ►

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The concept of the Devil, also known as Satan, is central to Christian theology as the embodiment of evil and the adversary of God and humanity. The Devil's influence is often depicted as leading individuals away from righteousness and into wickedness. This entry explores the biblical understanding of how the wicked turn aside after the Devil, drawing from various scriptural references.

Biblical Depictions of the Devil's Influence

The Devil is portrayed in the Bible as a deceiver and tempter, whose primary aim is to lead people away from God. In the Garden of Eden, the serpent, identified with Satan, tempts Eve to disobey God, resulting in the fall of humanity (Genesis 3:1-6). This act of turning aside from God's command is the first instance of the Devil's influence leading to wickedness.

Turning Aside After the Devil

Throughout Scripture, the Devil is shown to actively work against God's purposes by enticing individuals to turn aside from the path of righteousness. In the New Testament, Jesus warns of the Devil's role in leading people astray. In the Parable of the Sower, He explains that the Devil comes and takes away the word from people's hearts, preventing them from believing and being saved (Luke 8:12).

The Apostle Paul also speaks of the Devil's influence over those who turn aside from the truth. In his letter to Timothy, Paul warns that "the Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons" (1 Timothy 4:1). This passage highlights the Devil's role in leading people away from the faith through deception.

Characteristics of the Wicked

The Bible describes the wicked as those who have turned aside from God's commandments and have embraced a life contrary to His will. In the Psalms, the wicked are depicted as those who "turn aside by crooked ways" (Psalm 125:5). This imagery suggests a deliberate departure from the straight and narrow path of righteousness.

Proverbs further illustrates the nature of the wicked, stating, "The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble" (Proverbs 4:19). This darkness is often associated with the Devil's influence, as he is described as the "prince of the power of the air" who works in the "sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2).

Resistance to the Devil

The Bible provides guidance on resisting the Devil and his attempts to lead people into wickedness. James exhorts believers to "submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). This resistance involves a conscious decision to adhere to God's commandments and reject the Devil's temptations.

The Apostle Peter also advises vigilance, warning that "your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Believers are encouraged to be sober-minded and watchful, standing firm in their faith to withstand the Devil's schemes.

Conclusion

The Devil's role in leading the wicked to turn aside from God is a recurring theme in the Bible. Through deception and temptation, the Devil seeks to draw individuals away from the path of righteousness. However, Scripture provides believers with the means to resist the Devil's influence and remain steadfast in their faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 5:15
For some are already turned aside after Satan.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

General Service to John, Precursor, Prophet and Baptist of the ...
... illustrious day of the Lord; and he shall turn the heart ... unto us; we were full of
the wicked ways and ... we were delivered from the deceit of the devil and from ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter v general service to.htm

Of David's Reign and Merit; and of his Son Solomon, and that ...
... Indeed, the gospel parable about the wicked husbandmen shows that ... saying, Who is
simple, let him turn aside to me. ... both cities, the one of the devil, the other ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 20 of davids reign and.htm

On Proverbs. From the Commentary of St. Hippolytus on Proverbs.
... like thee upon the earth, and after thee there ... symbolically, under Boreas he designates
the wicked devil by whom ... Do thou, says he, turn aside from evil, and ...
/.../on proverbs from the commentary.htm

Concerning Earth and Its Products.
... on water, or on nothing, we must not turn aside from reverent ... it was through it that
the devil, the prince of evil, made his most wicked suggestion to ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter x concerning earth and its.htm

Psalm CXL.
... to avoid open enmities, easy is it to turn aside from an ... the stumbling-blocks and
snares of sinners, of wicked men, vessels of the devil, that barked ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxl.htm

Following Christ
... I suppose the devil himself, with all that ho ... hearts are deceitful above all things,
and desperately wicked. ... love Christ, you will not turn aside because some ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/following christ.htm

St. Ambrose Explains that the Flesh Given to Satan for Destruction ...
... Many nets and many snares are spread by the devil. ... will see that the high places
of the wicked have fallen. ... a great sight and said: "I will turn aside and see ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiv st ambrose explains.htm

Against those who Object Because the Devil Has not Been Put Out of ...
... if thou art careless thou wilt cause wicked works by ... in order that I may discharge
the Devil from blame ... certain one admonishes "make no tarrying to turn to the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ii against those who.htm

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for ...
... Wherever we turn our eyes we see, in all conditions of ... judgment is necessary to live
with the wicked and not do ... is of supreme importance, for the devil and the ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty second sunday after trinity.htm

The Testament of Asher Concerning Two Faces of vice and virtue.
... no compassion upon him who serveth his turn in evil ... From wickedness flee away,
destroying the devil by your good ... For many in killing the wicked do two works, an ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/x the testament of asher concerning.htm