Do you believe the devil is controlling people today?

Question:

Do you believe the devil is controlling people today to mobilize his plans to multiple his kingdom on the earth by destroying God's people?

Answer:

If Satan controlled people, then he alone would be responsible for the actions that they commit. This is not what the Bible teaches. Satan encourages people to sin and he is a master at manipulating people into making bad choices, but he has never had the ability to force someone to sin against their will. "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). That he can be resisted means he doesn't have control and that you are responsible for your choices.

Yes, Satan fights against all that is godly, but we know that Satan has already lost (Matthew 16:18). Worrying about his seemingly short-term successes doesn't change what we must do, which is to battle him while we can. There are people to teach and souls to be rescued.

Question:

Yes, it's a spiritual battle, but was the feeding 5000. We have a country where mental health is increasing, so if there was a way that would stop even a small about of the increase of mental health issues. And would be like going to a river and pulling out a fish, opening his mouth, and getting money out of it's mouth to pay taxes to fix a possible hugh tax problem. Would you say the same, that we should not focus on the issue as it relates to abuse but focus on fighting satan through the word only. I love the word, but I am hoping Pastor will actually be go to a river, to the people and actually help with down to earth life problems, instead of sending them away with a scripture. But thanks Pastor, you enjoy your congregation. Amen

Answer:

The above response was left unedited. She is upset that I answered her question and others with Scripture, though that is the way Jesus defeated Satan in Matthew 4. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). It is sad when God's power is not good enough for some people.