The devil has a large arsenal of weapons and tricks. Some he uses to try and lead us away from God. Others the employees to cause us to suffer in this life. All of which are cruel and horrible in their own way. But possibly the cruelest weapon satan uses against us is the act of realization.
This weapon is put into action after sin has already been committed in the Christians life. The devil switches gears and no longer plants the thoughts that lead to sin. Instead, he chooses to plant thoughts that cause the sinner to realize just what they have done. Sinned against their God.
The devil has many reasons for wanting us to realize the sins we have committed. The greatest seems to be to torment the person in this life. Not just the eternity that is to follow. But also because many who have a realization of their sins and the seriousness of what they have done can easily be convinced they are not able to receive forgiveness once again.
Ultimately causing them to turn even further away from God than they already have. Instead of turning towards the Lord and repenting and receiving the forgiveness He freely offers everyone when they mess up. This is exemplified in the life of Judas Iscariot who the devil led to betray Jesus.
Luke 22:3–6 (ESV)
3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.
There is actually so much that can be learned about how the devil operates in Judas’s betrayal of Jesus. For instance, many want to say that Judas was never truly saved. That he never believed in Jesus as the son of God. But In reality, it is too hard to believe that Judas was not at least saved at one point. Really he probably fell, in the same way, many who enter our churches today do. The sad way in which Jesus teaches about in the parable of the sower and the seed.
Luke 8:14 (ESV)
14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
Based on the fact that Judas spent so much time with Jesus and that he left behind a life to follow Him. We must believe that Judas started out believing. But overtime was lead astray due to the lusts of the flesh. Which we can see because it was money that caused him to agree to betray the Lord. As well as from the account of the expensive perfume used on Jesus.
John 12:4–6 (ESV)
4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.
So we can see that it was not that Judas had never been saved but that he was led astray by the temptation and whispers of the enemy. Which of course leads to him betraying Jesus with a kiss and an innocent man being led away captive.
In the time leading up to this final moment, Judas had probably dreamed up many grand ideas. Plans to use the money he was given to live out his dreams. Or more than likely he, like most who love money, planned to stash his payment away. And hoped to seek out more was to make money that he could store up.
But those dreams were all short-lived. Because satan was sitting on the sidelines just waiting for Judas to commit his sin. So he could quickly jump in and begin causing him to realize what he had done. In fact, before we read of the crucifixion of Christ we see Judas come to the realization of his sin.
Matthew 27:3–4 (ESV)
3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
Judas did not see the severity of what he was doing. He was completely blinded by what he was to gain through his sin. Just as many of us are when we fall to sin. We seem to forget everything and only focus on what is to gain even if it is only for a moment. Which is exactly how satan wants it to be. But just so he can be sure to drive it home he always takes the blinders off after the deed has been done. Which takes all the pleasure felt away and causes great remorse.
The realization of sin for Judas was that he caused an innocent man to be led to the slaughter. For us living today our realization of sin always evokes around the fact that by sinning we have turned our back on the God who saved us. Choosing to go our own way and blatantly disregard His word. As well as the fact that by sinning we have stepped off the narrow path that leads to Heaven and on to the path headed for destruction.
Matthew 7:13–14 (ESV)
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
The most important part of this is how you chose to respond when you realize your sin. Because as we have already discussed the devil causes us to see our sin for two reasons. To torment us and in the hope that we will feel as though we cannot be forgiven again.
Which sadly was the cause for Judas after he realized what he had done. Even though he had heard the Good News preached countless times. And knew all about the forgiveness Jesus offered to all people. He simply did it even view forgiveness as an option. Sadly choosing instead to take his own life. Which sealed his fate just as the enemy wanted.
Matthew 27:5 (ESV)
5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.
We are truly no different than Judas was. Yes, we are saved today but the devil is fighting. He wants to lead us away from our creator. He truly wants to see every Christian reach a similar ending to that of Judas.
The devil is going to come to Christians today in the same way and try to use our greatest weakness against us. Hoping that with it he will cause us to fall back into sin. So we must apply scripture in our lives and pray that God will lead us from temptation.
Luke 22:40 (ESV)
40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
We must also always be mindful of what happened to Judas. Because many of us will also succumb to temptation at one point or another. And after we have sinned the devil will come to us and try to use the realization of sin against us. When that happens don’t fall to this cruel trick and believe that you cannot receive forgiveness as the enemy wants.
Rebbe that scripture shows time and time again that any sin can be forgiven. Nor are there any limits to the forgiveness we can experience. We as Christians are supposed to keep our lives free of sin. But praise be to God because if and when we fall all we have to do is turn and repent with a pure heart and we will be forgiven.
1 John 2:1–2 (ESV)
1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
I truly believe that the realization of sin is the devil cruelest weapon. Simply because of what it is able to do to those it is used against. Causing great remorse and torment to be experienced. While also leading poor souls to believe they are no longer worthy of forgiveness.
Don’t fall victim to this wicked trap. But know that your sins can be forgiven and that you are loved by God. Nothing will ever change that. So in a moment of realization, turn back to God immediately and accept the forgiveness that He Is offering you. That was Jesus’s entire purpose when entering the world.
John 3:16–17 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Luke 6:31–32 (ESV)
31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
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