Just as justification of sin is futile.
Perhaps a somewhat accurate yet unseen picture is light in the midst of darkness, which is scripture.
Then you are merely your own devil and there is no other impetus but "evil you."
Well, you see, that is exactly the point. We can't be attacked on the inside without the attacker being inside to do same.
Our minds are assuredly subject to that presence of evil, that is "no longer I." It has a will of its own.
Any believer who speaks honestly knows we get blindsided out of seemingly nowhere with evil/lawless thoughts.
Those who claim they do not are simply made liars and hypocrites by that evil in claiming it doesn't happen. And those who excuse it are merely being used as pawns to cover up and make excuses and various forms of justifications for the devil.
No doubt. Still doesn't stop the activity though. Most of the time it will increase. See Paul's personal statements in Romans 7:7-13, Romans 7:19, 2 Cor. 7:12, Gal. 4:14 and 1 Tim. 1:15, among many others similar.
Paul concluded that he was, present tense use "I am" the chief of sinners. Were we to judge only by the external acts that would be a ridiculous exaggeration, but if we bring the TEMPTER into the picture, the answer is brutally honest.
Self deprecating? Yes. But honest.
Sorry. New age nonsense. We don't turn ourselves into Jesus by "acting our way" into it.
None of us are any different than Paul. Whatever we do, we do so with evil present within us. Romans 7:21, Mark 7:21-23
Hard to swallow? Yes. But again, why be made liars by the fact of it, and bad actors to boot, aka hypocrites.
Lying hypocrisy is actually one of the worst states of demonic influences and Jesus berated the temple leaders precisely because they were under the influences of DEVILS. John 8:44. And the funny part is this: They had NO CLUE that was the case. Funny and sad I should say.
Scripture says no such thing.
We are quite factually engaged in our own little battles with darkness. Everyone is. No exceptions.
People who claim this is not the case are merely wrapped up in little religious fantasies imposed on them by our enemies.
The fall of mankind was preordained from the start.
Paul elaborates on this quite succinctly in 1 Cor. 15:42-46 showing we are all planted in weakness, corruption and dishonor in a natural body that is assuredly going to die because of sin. And after that, we are "made" spirits by God.
Satan entered the hearts of both Adam and Eve immediately after God's Words were spoken to them:
Mark 4:15 was their reality and it was, from that point forward, never a question of only Adam or only Eve, but both of them under the thumb of the TEMPTER in their own flesh/minds. This demonic deception in them both is available to see long before the words of the serpent even enter the picture.
IF your claim is "don't pay any attention" and evil will go away, I would only conclude you are a liberal. (sorry, couldn't resist)
No, evil does its things, regardless of whether we pay attention to it or not. Particularly if we think the activity goes away because we're not watching on the wall.
None of that avails evil one little bit. Your position merely seeks to drag evil into the picture without being seen. Nothing more. And that simply will never happen in this present life.
Evil is a reality that we all bear our entire lives in a myriad of ways, both seen and unseen.
I like to think that honesty is a virtuous thing as well as the hope of eradication of evil, sin and the devil and his messengers. After all, they are the problem and that eventuality IS the promise of God in Christ.
Will the Gospel offend? Absolutely it will. No one really wants to look that closely. And few would show up in the pews were they actually told THE TRUTH by THE TRUTH. Most would run out the door holding their hands over their ears, lalalala.
That is only possible when we realize we are not it.
Paul says "sin not" yet simultaneously claims to be the "I am" chief of sinners.
We really should look at the contrasts here and realize there are two agencies involved. Mankind and devils.
Sins for example are not counted against people, 2 Cor. 5:19, but they are counted against the devils, 1 John 3:8, Mark 4:15 etc.
Were that the case then Jesus should not have focused on it either but He did, fortunately: Mark 7:21-23 and numerous statements such as:
Matthew 7:11
If
ye then,
being evil,
Matthew 12:34
O generation of vipers, how can
ye,
being evil,
Luke 11:13
If
ye then,
being evil,
And the coup de grace:
John 7:7
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because
I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
Are we not to bear the same testimony as our Lord??? Even if the axe falls upon our own flesh?
Yes indeed. To find out how both "all men" and "the world" hates us, were merely need to pinpoint the DEVILS in all mankind, including the tempter in our own minds and guess what happens?
The whirlwind of God comes rushing in, for real.
Here's a clue for you. The devil could care less if you can't speak of incursions of the tempter in your own mind because such is the mind of blinded slaves. Nothing personal. I think God will save you regardless. He did come to release the captives after all.
And, we might also realize, that when we "get real" with God and stop being liars, God in Christ comes to FIGHT within us, for REAL. And for that I will assuredly celebrate and be thankful. A spike of "division" will be driven home in us.
