All scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
In his prophetic vision, Isaiah saw the end of Satan. Concerning Satan, he said:
“Those who see you will gaze at you, they will ponder over you, saying, ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms?’” (Isaiah 14:16).
By the end of time, Satan would have so degenerated that it would be hard to believe he was the one who had vehemently troubled the whole earth. Although when he was created, the Bible says he had the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. That even his covering was of every precious stone and was anointed and served right at the feet of God, ministering to Him. But he would by the end of time be completely marred, because sin was later found in him. And in Ezekiel 28:18, the word of the Lord reveals to us how he would be brought to such utter ruin. It reads:
“By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries. THEREFORE I HAVE BROUGHT FIRE FROM THE MIDST OF YOU; it has consumed you, and I have turned you to ashes on the earth in the eyes of all who see you.” (Emphasis added).
Because iniquity was found in him, fire was brought from within him to consume him. This fire will so consume him that he will look like ashes by those who behold him. This is the reason the people who will gaze at him will hardly believe he was the one who made the earth tremble and shook kingdoms.
And just like sin is with the devil, so is it with anyone who dwells in sin. It will generate a fire in the sinner that will eventually consume him if he does not repent. The longer one remains in sin, the more degenerated in all respects one will be.
It is a dangerous thing for people to remain in sin. For God does not necessarily need to destroy such people because the sin in them will occasion their destruction. Just as the life of God enlivens people, so does sin destroy. It has the tendency to destroy the spirit, soul and body of whoever remains in it.
However, unlike Satan whose future has been sealed that his destination should be in the lake of fire, man still has the opportunity to repent today, and even now, from any sin whatsoever. The blood of Jesus has been made available by God Himself to quench the fire that might have been kindled by sin for the destruction of man. But if he does not repent, he has chosen the destination of the devil because he is of the devil. At the end, he will be hurled into the lake of fire, “into an unquenchable fire, where their worm does not die.” Therefore every man should repent from every sin so as not to be destroyed like the devil.
1 John 3:8 says:
“The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”
The latter part of the above text clearly reveals the purpose for which Jesus, the Son of God, appeared on earth, which is to destroy the works of the devil. Jesus has appeared to undo what began with the devil, even sin. Therefore it is now possible to breakup with every sin and be restored to God.
The first step to take to breakup with sin is to consciously decide, while resting on the grace of God, to do away with any form of sin. It means to first acknowledge your sins and repent while you forsake them first in your heart. When you forsake your sins in your heart, you will be able to now actually forsake them.
The second step in breaking up with any sin is to believe in Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Without Him, you will lack the grace that can set you free. John 8:36 says: “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” True freedom lies with Him. Are you laden with sin? He beckons on you and says: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Third step is to begin to live a prayerful life and to consistently study the Word. By this, you will build yourself to become strong that the enemy will not be able to defeat you and again bring you into captivity. The Lord says that when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, if it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Therefore, you must not just forsake your sins and keep yourself just free of them, you must also allow the Spirit of God to fill you by praying and reading His Word.
Lastly, you should have fellowship with other believers. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:22:
“Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, WITH THOSE WHO CALL ON THE LORD FROM A PURE HEART” (Emphasis added).
The need for fellowship cannot be overemphasized. It will not only help you grow, it will also keep you away from sin. You should seek people who genuinely worship God, join yourself with them and you will not be quickly overrun by the devil. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says: “And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
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