I’ve still been mulling over our discussion the other day about angels. My thoughts have been centered around the old slogan created by Flip Wilson, “the Devil made me do it.”
Now I don’t think that too many have problems with the idea that the devil might provoke and stimulate unbelievers to particular modes of sinful activity. But in what sense, if any, can the Devil provoke a believer to sin? More specifically, is it possible for Satan to instigate the believer to sin by planting a thought within the believer’s mind?
My original response to that question on the night of the study was, “no, he cannot.” And the more I’ve pondered that, the more I believe that answer to be correct (there is nothing directly spoken, to my knowledge, on the subject, so much of what we believe on this issue is inferred from a variety of passage).
That the Devil and his minions can tempt believers to sin is undoubtedly true. Peter reminds us that our adversary is “like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pt. 5:8). His very name means “tempter.” Yet the source of that Satanic temptation is always viewed as being external, not internal. Satan tempts through enticements that come from the world (system and ideology) and through the eyes (1 Jn. 2:16-17). He tempts by means of corrupting the truth and attacking the knowledge of God (2 Cor. 10:5). And he tempts by surrounding believers with unrighteous and unprincipled men who engage in ungodly conduct (2 Pt. 2:7, 9).
In fact, his two great temptations recorded in Scripture illustrate that he must work from without, rather than within, believers — both the temptation of Job and the temptation of Christ were a series of external attacks, but never is there any indication that Satan did (or could) operate internally.
Additionally, Scripture is clear that when internal temptation is experienced, it is from the heart of flesh alone — see Js. 1:13-15 and Romans 7:17-18). This is why the Scriptures affirm that the means to eluding the temptations of Satan (and the flesh) are to walk by the power of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25-26). Says one writer,
What we need to fear most is not demonic influence or oppression or even demon possession but being out of fellowship with God. As long as we walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:5), live according to Scripture, and use the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-17), we have God’s protection from the attacks of Satan and his angels. [Lightner, Angels, Satan, and Demons; aside: I found this book at a used book store, after our class last week, and have found it to be quite helpful.]
So, yes, Satan (and his evil angels) is active and alive on this earth; he does tempt all men, including believers; but he cannot and does not tempt believers internally by planting seeds of evil and sin within their minds. The flesh is more than capable of doing that fully on its own. He merely provides the circumstance under which he deduces (by observation of our lives), that we will be most likely to succumb to sinful actions.
Words of Grace 