If the Devil was a Man
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I don’t like it when someone tries to trick me. Sometimes it’s a harmless prank or joke, an opportunity for someone else to explore the depths of my sense of humor and for me to practice my patience and self-control. Sometimes it is more serious, even devious, and no joking matter at all. In those cases, I get upset, I even get angry, and I want justice for the wrong I see.
For example, two weeks ago I had a man lie to my face while stealing from the grocery store I work for. He stood right in front of my face and talked to me while buying cigarettes and beer with stolen checks.
And again, when I used all my savings to buy a car I wouldn’t have to make payments on because I wanted to honor God with my finances instead of going into debt. I trusted the previous owner, made the necessary repairs, and lost $3500.00 in two weeks.
Perhaps in your own lives you have experienced the wrongness of being lied to, taken advantage of, conned, or cheated? An unfaithful spouse? A promised promotion? A betrayed friendship?
Doesn’t it just get under your skin? Doesn’t the injustice of it just make something in you cry out for retribution? Friends, that is the image of God in you recognizing evil and rejecting it, but what can we actually do about it when it happens to us?
I know it isn’t just that another person wants to hurt me, although sometimes they do. “Our battle is not against flesh and blood…” There is a bigger battle being waged, a bigger enemy fighting against me in my life: satan!
And so, I have a song I’d like to sing to you about how I feel when that crafty old snake sets his sights on me and tries to pull me off the straight and narrow way that leads to life.
There’s a song by Ross King from several years ago with the chorus: “If the devil was a man, with a body just like mine, and if it wasn’t a sin to fight with him, I’d punch him in the eye. And, he could growl and snarl at me, but all to no avail. If the devil was a man I’d kick his tail.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if it were that easy? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just grab the devil by the collar and pin him to the wall?
But, things aren’t that easy. In fact, fighting the devil can be one of the hardest things we do. Frankly, as much as we like to joke about him and paint pictures of him with a pitchfork and a pointy red tail hanging out of his long-johns, we need to see him for who he is.
Scripture describes satan as a deceiver, a liar whose native tongue is falsehood. He is a fallen archangel. He’s crafty. He’s smart. He masquerades as a messenger of light. He is a roaring lion seeking those whom he may devour. His job is to use, confuse, and accuse people. And, he’s being doing his job for a long, long time. Satan is no joke, and he’s out to trick us.
So, I want to give you some tips on fighting back when satan attacks. And, these aren’t just any tips. They come from the One who knows all about what it takes to kick the devil’s tail: Jesus Christ. You don’t have to do all of these things to have victory. Any one of them is a start.
The passage is in the Gospel of John, chapter 8.
John 7 and 8 are about the question: “Who is Jesus?” People were beginning to believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed King of Israel and Son of David who would save all Israel. These chapters tell us that Jesus is the Light of the World, the conqueror of death, and the great I AM, God himself. But, they do more then just tell us they show us.
John 8:2-11, the story of the woman caught in adultery, shows us not only that Jesus is victorious over satan, but also how he is victorious over satan. This story is a picture of how God responds when the devil attacks.
Grab your Bible; it will save me typing time. (Thanks)
v.2- Jesus was doing his normal thing.
v.3-5- (1) When satan attacks, Jesus takes him seriously.
This is a dangerous situation. The woman is guilty. Sure, the man she was caught with is somehow absent, but she is guilty of what Genesis 39:9 describes as “a sin against God.” Leviticus 20:10 demanded that both she and the man she’d slept with be put to death. The teachers of the law believe in keeping God’s decree that adultery be treated as a capital offense. The Pharisees know that if Jesus upholds this law he’ll be guilty of treason against Rome, which forbid the Jews from using capital punishment except when temple law was violated. Either way, he’s in trouble.
Moreover, look at verse 6a.
(2) Jesus recognizes what is really going on.
The motive for the question wasn’t genuine. Jesus knew the law and what it required and he recognized this as a trap. They didn’t care about the crime or they wouldn’t have let the man go free. They didn’t care about the woman, or they wouldn’t have humiliated her the way they did. They didn’t really care what answer Jesus gave, they just wanted to trick him, to catch him in something he might say so they could destroy his ministry and perhaps even get rid of him all together.
v.6b- (3) Jesus considers his response .
No one knows what Jesus wrote. If we needed to know, the Scripture would tell us.
Whatever he wrote, I believe he did so prayerfully. He didn’t just react to the situation, he responded. When satan attacked, Jesus took time to ponder, to think, to prayer for the Father’s guidance.
v.7- (4) Jesus is not trapped by the devil’s scheme. He doesn’t allow satan to make the rules.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
In this situation, the standing position is a stance of judgment, but he isn’t passing judgment upon the woman, whom everyone knows is guilty. Rather, he reminds her accusers of their own guilt. He basically tells them, “You’re right. This woman is guilty. She deserves to be condemned. But, while we’re at it, let’s take a look at our own lives, shall we?”
v.8-9- The stage is now set for Jesus to show that he is who he says he is.
v.10-11a- (5) When satan attacks, Jesus does not violate God’s law, not even in order to show mercy.
Jesus stands. Remember, this is the position of the one judging the legal hearing. He knows that the woman is guilty, yet he desires to have mercy on her. He also knows that in Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15 the Scriptures declare that the death sentence can only be applied when there are two witnesses to the crime present at court. Therefore, he calls for witnesses, and there are none now remaining. They have all left. Because they are gone, he alone can testify against her. Without another witness, he lets her go.
Psalm 62:11-12 declares, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.”
This is why Jesus’ sacrifice for us works. Only two people can pay a debt justly: the debtor (us) and the one owed the debt (God). Even if I were perfect, it would be unfair for God to allow me to pay the price for your sin because I’m not part of the equation. Jesus, God with us, is part of the equation. He paid the debt we owed to him.
God is both strong (just) and loving (merciful). That is what we see in this story. Jesus is declaring who he is, Immanuel, God with us, through his actions. He upholds the law, and provides mercy.
So, (6) when the devil attacks, Jesus’ life points to God.
But, there is still one more thing we see Jesus do….
v.11- Jesus provides hope…
He doesn't just tell her "Hey, you're off the hook, but you'd better straighten up." No! He offers her hope for a life free from the bondage of sin, just like he does with us.
So, when the trick comes, when life falls apart, when we’re cheated, snared, lied to, deceived…. when satan attacks, can we do what Jesus does? Yes. I believe we can.
We can take the attack seriously, without being overwhelmed by it because, as believers, Christ lives in us.
We can recognize what is really going on, by praying for discernment and spending time in God’s word before the attack comes.
We can consider our response, rather than just reacting and not considering the possible consequences, praying for guidance rather than playing into the devil’s hand.
We can avoid being trapped, by not allowing the enemy to make the rules and believing God for a way out.
We can go beyond winning and show mercy without violating God’s law, when we allow his Spirit to guide.
We can act in such a way so our life points to God.
And, we can provide hope.
So, when the devil attacks, even though he is not “a man with a body just like mine,” with the Spirit of Christ living in us and guiding our lives, we can still kick satan’s tail!
I don’t like it when someone tries to trick me. Sometimes it’s a harmless prank or joke, an opportunity for someone else to explore the depths of my sense of humor and for me to practice my patience and self-control. Sometimes it is more serious, even devious, and no joking matter at all. In those cases, I get upset, I even get angry, and I want justice for the wrong I see.
For example, two weeks ago I had a man lie to my face while stealing from the grocery store I work for. He stood right in front of my face and talked to me while buying cigarettes and beer with stolen checks.
And again, when I used all my savings to buy a car I wouldn’t have to make payments on because I wanted to honor God with my finances instead of going into debt. I trusted the previous owner, made the necessary repairs, and lost $3500.00 in two weeks.
Perhaps in your own lives you have experienced the wrongness of being lied to, taken advantage of, conned, or cheated? An unfaithful spouse? A promised promotion? A betrayed friendship?
Doesn’t it just get under your skin? Doesn’t the injustice of it just make something in you cry out for retribution? Friends, that is the image of God in you recognizing evil and rejecting it, but what can we actually do about it when it happens to us?
I know it isn’t just that another person wants to hurt me, although sometimes they do. “Our battle is not against flesh and blood…” There is a bigger battle being waged, a bigger enemy fighting against me in my life: satan!
And so, I have a song I’d like to sing to you about how I feel when that crafty old snake sets his sights on me and tries to pull me off the straight and narrow way that leads to life.
There’s a song by Ross King from several years ago with the chorus: “If the devil was a man, with a body just like mine, and if it wasn’t a sin to fight with him, I’d punch him in the eye. And, he could growl and snarl at me, but all to no avail. If the devil was a man I’d kick his tail.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if it were that easy? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just grab the devil by the collar and pin him to the wall?
But, things aren’t that easy. In fact, fighting the devil can be one of the hardest things we do. Frankly, as much as we like to joke about him and paint pictures of him with a pitchfork and a pointy red tail hanging out of his long-johns, we need to see him for who he is.
Scripture describes satan as a deceiver, a liar whose native tongue is falsehood. He is a fallen archangel. He’s crafty. He’s smart. He masquerades as a messenger of light. He is a roaring lion seeking those whom he may devour. His job is to use, confuse, and accuse people. And, he’s being doing his job for a long, long time. Satan is no joke, and he’s out to trick us.
So, I want to give you some tips on fighting back when satan attacks. And, these aren’t just any tips. They come from the One who knows all about what it takes to kick the devil’s tail: Jesus Christ. You don’t have to do all of these things to have victory. Any one of them is a start.
The passage is in the Gospel of John, chapter 8.
John 7 and 8 are about the question: “Who is Jesus?” People were beginning to believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed King of Israel and Son of David who would save all Israel. These chapters tell us that Jesus is the Light of the World, the conqueror of death, and the great I AM, God himself. But, they do more then just tell us they show us.
John 8:2-11, the story of the woman caught in adultery, shows us not only that Jesus is victorious over satan, but also how he is victorious over satan. This story is a picture of how God responds when the devil attacks.
Grab your Bible; it will save me typing time. (Thanks)
v.2- Jesus was doing his normal thing.
v.3-5- (1) When satan attacks, Jesus takes him seriously.
This is a dangerous situation. The woman is guilty. Sure, the man she was caught with is somehow absent, but she is guilty of what Genesis 39:9 describes as “a sin against God.” Leviticus 20:10 demanded that both she and the man she’d slept with be put to death. The teachers of the law believe in keeping God’s decree that adultery be treated as a capital offense. The Pharisees know that if Jesus upholds this law he’ll be guilty of treason against Rome, which forbid the Jews from using capital punishment except when temple law was violated. Either way, he’s in trouble.
Moreover, look at verse 6a.
(2) Jesus recognizes what is really going on.
The motive for the question wasn’t genuine. Jesus knew the law and what it required and he recognized this as a trap. They didn’t care about the crime or they wouldn’t have let the man go free. They didn’t care about the woman, or they wouldn’t have humiliated her the way they did. They didn’t really care what answer Jesus gave, they just wanted to trick him, to catch him in something he might say so they could destroy his ministry and perhaps even get rid of him all together.
v.6b- (3) Jesus considers his response .
No one knows what Jesus wrote. If we needed to know, the Scripture would tell us.
Whatever he wrote, I believe he did so prayerfully. He didn’t just react to the situation, he responded. When satan attacked, Jesus took time to ponder, to think, to prayer for the Father’s guidance.
v.7- (4) Jesus is not trapped by the devil’s scheme. He doesn’t allow satan to make the rules.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
In this situation, the standing position is a stance of judgment, but he isn’t passing judgment upon the woman, whom everyone knows is guilty. Rather, he reminds her accusers of their own guilt. He basically tells them, “You’re right. This woman is guilty. She deserves to be condemned. But, while we’re at it, let’s take a look at our own lives, shall we?”
v.8-9- The stage is now set for Jesus to show that he is who he says he is.
v.10-11a- (5) When satan attacks, Jesus does not violate God’s law, not even in order to show mercy.
Jesus stands. Remember, this is the position of the one judging the legal hearing. He knows that the woman is guilty, yet he desires to have mercy on her. He also knows that in Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15 the Scriptures declare that the death sentence can only be applied when there are two witnesses to the crime present at court. Therefore, he calls for witnesses, and there are none now remaining. They have all left. Because they are gone, he alone can testify against her. Without another witness, he lets her go.
Psalm 62:11-12 declares, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.”
This is why Jesus’ sacrifice for us works. Only two people can pay a debt justly: the debtor (us) and the one owed the debt (God). Even if I were perfect, it would be unfair for God to allow me to pay the price for your sin because I’m not part of the equation. Jesus, God with us, is part of the equation. He paid the debt we owed to him.
God is both strong (just) and loving (merciful). That is what we see in this story. Jesus is declaring who he is, Immanuel, God with us, through his actions. He upholds the law, and provides mercy.
So, (6) when the devil attacks, Jesus’ life points to God.
But, there is still one more thing we see Jesus do….
v.11- Jesus provides hope…
He doesn't just tell her "Hey, you're off the hook, but you'd better straighten up." No! He offers her hope for a life free from the bondage of sin, just like he does with us.
So, when the trick comes, when life falls apart, when we’re cheated, snared, lied to, deceived…. when satan attacks, can we do what Jesus does? Yes. I believe we can.
We can take the attack seriously, without being overwhelmed by it because, as believers, Christ lives in us.
We can recognize what is really going on, by praying for discernment and spending time in God’s word before the attack comes.
We can consider our response, rather than just reacting and not considering the possible consequences, praying for guidance rather than playing into the devil’s hand.
We can avoid being trapped, by not allowing the enemy to make the rules and believing God for a way out.
We can go beyond winning and show mercy without violating God’s law, when we allow his Spirit to guide.
We can act in such a way so our life points to God.
And, we can provide hope.
So, when the devil attacks, even though he is not “a man with a body just like mine,” with the Spirit of Christ living in us and guiding our lives, we can still kick satan’s tail!
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