DEVIL:
Unfortunately, the concept of the ‘devil’ has taken on fabled proportions in our modern world. The Greek word ‘diabolos’ simply means false accuser or slanderer, (ie diabolic) and is found only in the New Testament. We know that when we use the word ‘devil’ we are referring to wicked behavior. There is NO Bible evidence that supports a wicked being who has power that is equal and opposite to God! The word is merely a scriptural personification of ‘sin’. The scriptures inform us that: “…from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, etc…” Mark 7:21 These are the works ‘of the flesh.’ When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness as recorded in Matthew 4 & Luke 4, we must remember that he was ‘tempted in all points as we are’ Hebrews 4:15. Was the devil here a wicked being? Or were these visions of what could be done? However this is viewed, there is no ‘being’ capable of offering the ’kingdoms of the world’ other than God. Most probably the temptations were the ‘thoughts of his own mind’ as suggested by James 1:14. Jesus now considered the ‘power of God’ that was now vested in him. While Jesus may have had the thought to use the spirit to ‘eat, to be protected or even take the power to himself, he never allowed those considerations any merit in contrast to James 1:15. He was tempted, but overcame through his familiarity with the word of God as quoted at each test that came to him. Every person must take responsibility for their actions and when they fail, not blame other than themselves. Remember: it is “The wages of sin is death”, not the work of the devil being.