Why do men continually do wrong when they could do right? We are hard put for an explanation unless we accept that of the Bible. The Bible is very clear that there is an evil force at work in our world and it is headed up by Satan. Satan is a real person and his existence is sustained by scripture. To deny his personality is to deny scripture. It is his work and mission to lure us, to entice us, to tempt us to do wrong. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:8.
The line of Satan’s attack in our life is always the will of God. The will of God is the best thing that could ever happen to us. If Satan can draw us from the center of God’s will, he leads us to sin. To accomplish this, he appeals to every appetite, desire, and ambition within us.
How can we stand against Satan? In a word—by the written word of God. Jesus once had a terrific struggle with the devil. He met each temptation with the phrase, “It is written…” and then he quoted from the word of God. David once said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee” Psalm 110:11. In the hour of temptation, our one supreme weapon is the word of God.
Here then is the problem and the solution. Satan is real and at work. He tempts people and they follow him. This is why our world is filled with violence, hate, greed, and evil. But it need not be so. Victory can be ours if we will draw a circle about us with the word of God and stand firm.