Someone once said that the greatest thing the devil did was to convince people that he didn't exist. After all, if he doesn't exist, then there is nothing to worry about, right? But if he does exist, then we need to be aware.
When it rains, do you place a bucket in the middle of the room, to catch the water coming in? Most people don't, unless there is actually a leak and water really is coming in...
So, does the devil exist?
Matthew 4
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Luke 10
18 He [Jesus] replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Ephesians 6
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Job 1
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD , and Satan also came with them.
7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD , "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied.
10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.
11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."
Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD .
So, are we helpless against this powerful enemy?
By ourselves, yes. But through Christ, anything is possible.
Colossians 2
14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Is the devil everywhere?
I think he acts in many places, but only God is omnipresent and omniscient. The devil has the fallen angels to help him.
Are the devil and demons behind everything that go wrong?
Not necessarily... Some things are just a product of a fallen world. But they would probably use any chance they had to cause doubt or fear.
Should we do everything we can to overcome the devil? yes and no.
We should try to convince people to turn from their evil ways, but the devil has already been defeated in the end:
Revelations 20
10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The power of Jesus is where we get our strength.
Luke 10
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
When Jesus died on the cross, and rose again He sealed our victory. We should tell people of this every chance we get.
Oh, victory in Jesus,
My Saviour forever
He sought me
And He bought me
With His redeeming blood
He loved me
Ere I knew Him
And all my love
Is due Him
He plunged me to victory
Beneath the Cleansing Flood
- Victory in Jesus - hymn