Is the Devil Stronger than God?

[Tree of Life]

The devil is God's enemy (Matthew 13:25, Matthew 13:39). He is also the enemy of the people of God (Ephesians 6:11). The devil is the father of lies (John 8:44). He lies to God's people and tempts them to sin. He is the tempter of God's people (1 Thessalonians 3:5). He is the prince of the world in that he has deceived the whole world into participating in his rebellion against God (Revelation 12:9, Ephesians 2:2).

So we can safely say that if anyone is rebelling against God, the devil is involved. They are under his power and influence. And if anyones sins - including a believer - the devil is involved. He tempts people to sin and deceives people into sinning.

God saves people from the tyranny of the devil (Colossians 1:13). He is conquered by the blood of the lamb (Revelation 12:11). Surely the evil one hates this. He seeks to ensnare and destroy believers.

But is the devil stronger than God? Is he able to pluck them out of God's hand? Is he able to successfully tempt them to apostatize and to reject Jesus?

Jesus says no. In John 10:27-29 - 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Paul says no. In Romans 8:38-39 he says - 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Those who are saved can never lose their salvation because Jesus is stronger than the devil. If you say that believers can lose their salvation then you deny this. You're effectively saying that the devil can prevail, even in a small way, against the Lord.

 

[Far Side Of the Moon]

Never

 

[Lily of Valleys]

If everything are all solely devil's fault, why did God punish Adam and Eve, not just the serpent? And why did God kill everyone with the flood instead of simply punishing the devil?

Even though the devil maybe sometimes involved, I wouldn't blame the devil for everything though. We are at least, to a certain extent, responsible for our own choice.

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:14 NKJV)​

 

[dreadnought]

The devil is God's enemy (Matthew 13:25, Matthew 13:39). He is also the enemy of the people of God (Ephesians 6:11). The devil is the father of lies (John 8:44). He lies to God's people and tempts them to sin. He is the tempter of God's people (1 Thessalonians 3:5). He is the prince of the world in that he has deceived the whole world into participating in his rebellion against God (Revelation 12:9, Ephesians 2:2).

So we can safely say that if anyone is rebelling against God, the devil is involved. They are under his power and influence. And if anyones sins - including a believer - the devil is involved. He tempts people to sin and deceives people into sinning.

God saves people from the tyranny of the devil (Colossians 1:13). He is conquered by the blood of the lamb (Revelation 12:11). Surely the evil one hates this. He seeks to ensnare and destroy believers.

But is the devil stronger than God? Is he able to pluck them out of God's hand? Is he able to successfully tempt them to apostatize and to reject Jesus?

Jesus says no. In John 10:27-29 - 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Paul says no. In Romans 8:38-39 he says - 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Those who are saved can never lose their salvation because Jesus is stronger than the devil. If you say that believers can lose their salvation then you deny this. You're effectively saying that the devil can prevail, even in a small way, against the Lord.

No, Satan isn't stronger than the Lord. The Lord is all-powerful. Satan is not.

 

[SkyWriting]

Those who are saved can never lose their salvation because Jesus is stronger than the devil. If you say that believers can lose their salvation then you deny this. You're effectively saying that the devil can prevail, even in a small way, against the Lord.

The devil remains available to any who deny or abandon God and he mills about
seeking those people. He has no power at all except what is given over to him.

8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

 

[Tree of Life]

So we agree that since the devil is not stronger that God, that those who the Lord saves are unable to be lost?

 

[oOKnights TemplarOo]

As powerful as this evil enemy may seem, he is no match for Jesus the Christ!

 

[dreadnought]

So we agree that since the devil is not stronger that God, that those who the Lord saves are unable to be lost?

Yes, but you can still get yourself into a lot of trouble if you don't obey the Lord's commandments.

 

[Tree of Life]

Yes, but you can still get yourself into a lot of trouble if you don't obey the Lord's commandments.

I would never deny that!

 

[Lily of Valleys]

So we agree that since the devil is not stronger that God, that those who the Lord saves are unable to be lost?

There is no question that no one can act against God's will. The questions are:

(1) Who are those that God chooses to save
(2) How God decides who to choose to save
(3) Whether God's will involves giving people free will to choose whether they are to be saved

 

[A_Thinker]

The devil is God's enemy (Matthew 13:25, Matthew 13:39). He is also the enemy of the people of God (Ephesians 6:11). The devil is the father of lies (John 8:44). He lies to God's people and tempts them to sin. He is the tempter of God's people (1 Thessalonians 3:5). He is the prince of the world in that he has deceived the whole world into participating in his rebellion against God (Revelation 12:9, Ephesians 2:2).

So we can safely say that if anyone is rebelling against God, the devil is involved. They are under his power and influence. And if anyones sins - including a believer - the devil is involved. He tempts people to sin and deceives people into sinning.

God saves people from the tyranny of the devil (Colossians 1:13). He is conquered by the blood of the lamb (Revelation 12:11). Surely the evil one hates this. He seeks to ensnare and destroy believers.

But is the devil stronger than God? Is he able to pluck them out of God's hand? Is he able to successfully tempt them to apostatize and to reject Jesus?

Jesus says no. In John 10:27-29 - 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Paul says no. In Romans 8:38-39 he says - 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Those who are saved can never lose their salvation because Jesus is stronger than the devil. If you say that believers can lose their salvation then you deny this. You're effectively saying that the devil can prevail, even in a small way, against the Lord.

If the devil was stronger than God, ... then we'd all be dead ...

 

[Tree of Life]

There is no question that no one can act against God's will. The questions are:

(1) Who are those that God chooses to save
(2) How God decides who to choose to save
(3) Whether God's will involves giving people free will to choose whether they are to be saved

So you agree that those whom Jesus saves cannot lose their salvation?

 

[BobRyan]

.
Those who are saved can never lose their salvation because Jesus is stronger than the devil. If you say that believers can lose their salvation then you deny this. .

But you merely "quote you" on that singular point since the bible shows Adam and Eve -- sinless... children of God -- and yet the devil tempts them. The Devil did not have to beat God up first -- to tempt Adam... Rather God enables all to have free will - a choice... such that even sinless beings like Adam and Eve had the option of failing.

How much more flawed sinful Christians who still have a sinful nature.

 

[Lily of Valleys]

So you agree that those whom Jesus saves cannot lose their salvation?

Only if they are truly whom Jesus saves. My three questions still need to be answered though.

 

[BobRyan]

If the devil was stronger than God, ... then we'd all be dead ...

true - But God did not set up a system whereby Adam cannot be tempted until the devil first beats God up.

The game that is of that sort - is not at all being informed by Bible teaching.

 

[Tree of Life]

But you merely "quote you" on that singular point since the bible shows Adam and Eve -- sinless... children of God -- and yet the devil tempts them. The Devil did not have to beat God up first -- to tempt Adam... Rather God enables all to have free will - a choice... such that even sinless beings like Adam and Eve had the option of failing.

How much more flawed sinful Christians who still have a sinful nature.

All of us are able to fail. God allows this to happen. But if God intends to save a person, is the devil able to successfully tempt him such that he falls away from salvation?

 

[Tree of Life]

(1) Who are those that God chooses to save

The elect. An innumerable people from every tribe, nation, and tongue.

(2) How God decides who to choose to save

His inscrutable and hidden will. It has nothing to do with the creature.

(3) Whether God's will involves giving people free will to choose whether they are to be saved

All who embrace Jesus do so freely. All who reject Jesus do so freely.

 

[Tree of Life]

true - But God did not set up a system whereby Adam cannot be tempted until the devil first beats God up.

The game that is of that sort - is not at all being informed by Bible teaching.

Wouldn't you admit that God permitted Satan to tempt Adam and Eve and permitted them to fall?

 

[Lily of Valleys]

(1) The elect. An innumerable people from every tribe, nation, and tongue.
(2) His inscrutable and hidden will. It has nothing to do with the creature.
(3) All who embrace Jesus do so freely. All who reject Jesus do so freely.

According to your answer for (3), wouldn't it mean there is an element of whether we choose to embrace Jesus or reject Jesus plays a part in how God decides who to choose to save?

 

[Tree of Life]

According to your answer for (3), wouldn't it mean there is an element of whether we choose to embrace Jesus or reject Jesus plays a part in how God decides who to choose to save?

No. That would be to confuse the order of salvation (sometimes called Ordo Salutis).

God elects. God calls and regenerates. The elect then freely put their faith in Jesus. God sanctifies (as the elect continually walk with him). God glorifies.

His choice to save comes before our faith and actually brings about our faith. It does not depend on our faith.