Let's look at sin. All people have been impacted by sin in their lives. Sin is universal and Satan has made sure of it. One question I get a lot on my ministry web site is what and who is Satan? His name was Lucifer and he was living in Heaven. Lucifer was created by God, as were all other angels (Ephesians 3:9). Lucifer was a cherub, or angel. One great angel stands on the left side of God's throne and another on the right (Psalms 99:1). Lucifer was one of those highly exalted angel leaders. Lucifer's beauty was flawless and overwhelming. His wisdom was perfect. Ezekiel 28:13 seems to indicate that his throat was especially prepared to make him an outstanding musician. What happened to Lucifer to make him sin was that pride, jealousy, and self-exaltation arose in his life. Then he decided to attempt to unseat God and then demand that all worship him. Lucifer had the support of one-third of the angels (Revelations 12:3-4). After God ousted Lucifer and his angels, then his name became Satan and his angels were called demons.

So now we know with whom sin originated. Even after Satan was thrown out of Heaven, he did not stop. He went after God's creation of Adam and Eve and we all know what happened there. What does the bible say about Satan:

The Bible says Satan:

Deceived/persecutes
Revelation 12:9, 13

Quotes/misquotes Bible
Matthew 4:5, 6

Falsely accuses/murders
Revelation 12:10, John 8:44

Traps/ensnares
2 Timothy 2:26, I Peter 5:8

Makes war against God's people
Revelation 2:10

Binds/prompts betrayal
Luke 13:16, John 13:2, 21

Imprisons
Revelation 2:10

Possesses/hinders
Luke 22:3-5, I Thessalonians 2:18

Works miracles/lies
Revelation 16:13-14, John 8:44

Appears as angel of light
2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Brings disease/afflicts
Job 2:7

His demons impersonate pastors
2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Slanders
"Devil" means "slanderer"

Calls fire from heaven
Revelation 13:13

Now we know where sin came from. Let's see what we need to do to be free from Satan and sin.

Chapter 2

In order to be free from sin, you must know God. Ask yourself "Does God really care about me?" This is what He says: "Thou was precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee" (Isaiah 43:4) "Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love." (Jeremiah 31:3) Now what does this mean? I think God is saying that His neverending love for you and me is far beyond our understanding. He loves you as though you were the only lost soul in the universe.

He would have given His life for you or me even if there had been no other sinner to redeem. Try never to forget how God demonstrated His love for us. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we live through Him. Herein is love, not that we love God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (I John 4:9-10) Now because He loves us so deeply, He was willing to see His only Son suffer and die rather than be separated from you and me for eternity. He did it just for you and me and never has there been another demonstration of love so great as the cross.

Chapter 3

Now that we see God's love for us and how His Son, Jesus, paid our sin debt in full out of love for us, how will that help us be free from sin? Simple. Ponder these simple facts for a moment:

o Because of my sins, I am sentenced to death.
o I cannot pay that penalty without losing eternal life, because if I died for my sins, I could not resurrect myself. I would be dead forever.
o I owe something I cannot pay. But a friend comes along, in the person of Jesus, and says, "I will pay it for you. I will die in your place and give you credit for it."

I must accept the offer! Simple, isn't it. The moment you openly acknowledge and accept His death for your sins, you become a son or daughter of God.

How do I receive Him? Just admit 3 things:

1. Jesus died for me. "That He should taste death for every man." Hebrews 2:9
2. He forgives me. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9
3. He saves me. "He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." John 6:47

After doing this, what happens now? "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Chapter 4

Will your new life be happier than the sinful pleasure of the old life?

Jesus said, "These things have I spoken unto you that your joy might be full." John 15:16 "Of the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed!" John 8:36 "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Many feel that the Christian life will not be a happy one because of restrictions. The exact opposite is true. When you accept the love of Jesus, peace and joy springs up from within. Unbelievable peace and joy takes over our life and you experience a more abundant life. The Bible always ties obedience to a love for Christ. Born-again Christians find it no struggle to keep the ten commandments. His atoning death, my present and future obedience is rooted in His victorious life within me.

I search daily the Bible for indications of His will, trying to find more ways of expressing my love to Him. "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. I John3:22

Chapter 5

What act seals our love with Christ? Baptism symbolizes three significant events in the life of the true believer.

1. Death to sin
2. Birth to a new life in Christ
3. Marriage to Christ for eternity

This spiritual union will grow stronger with time, as long as love continues to grow. As in any marriage, the loss of love can turn a paradise into hell. When love disappears, the home is held together only by the mechanical, forced duty of the marriage law. Likewise, when the Christian ceases to love Christ supremely, his religion exists only as restrictive compliance to a set of rules.

"Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4) "That the body of sin might be destroyed." (Romans 6:6) God seals our spiritual marriage for eternity. He has promised never to forsake me (Psalms 55:22, Matthew 28:20) To take care of me in sickness or in health. (Hebrews 13:5)

And to provide for every need that could possibly develop in my life (Psalms 41:3) (Isaiah 41:10) Just as I received Him by faith and found His promises all sufficient, I keep on trusting Him for every future need, and He never lets me down. (Matthew 6:25, 34)

As it is written, "You shall be free indeed." John 8:36

Now if you have done these things, you are free from sin. So keep in the light of Christ and help spread the word of God to make a better life for all people.

"Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Also, remember this then Jesus said, "If you abide in my word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31,32

Now, walk in the light of Christ and be free from sin.

Amen