The Suicide of Evil - May 6 Readings: Judges 17-18, Luke 22:1–30, Psalm 57, Proverbs 11:26–28

Links to May 6 Readings: Judges 17-18, Luke 22:1–30, Psalm 57, Proverbs 11:26–28

Luke 22:3 contains four interesting words. "Then Satan entered Judas..." The time of the death of Jesus Christ was drawing near and Satan was at work to bring his enemy down. He had set himself against the Creator and was committed to bringing all of the Father's work to nothing.

So, he "entered" Judas, one of Jesus' own disciples, to lead him to betray Jesus. This did not absolve Judas of his guilt in Jesus' death, but it did produce one of the greatest ironies in history.

Think about it. Satan, the great enemy of God, moved in the heart of Judas to betray Jesus to the Romans and bring his life to an end. It must have seemed like a great victory. If Satan can feel joy or glee, it must have happened as he saw Jesus tried, convicted, tortured, ridiculed and eventually crucified. But here is the irony. The events that Satan put into place when he entered into Judas, the events he thought were his moment of glory, were actually suicide. He was destroying himself. When Jesus died, Satan was finished. When Jesus rose, Satan's death blow was inflicted. He is still thrashing around and seeking to destroy, but Jesus has mortally wounded the enemy.

Sin is suicide; it always destroys itself. When Satan rebelled against God, his destiny was sealed. When he moved in Judas to betray Jesus, he was actually causing his own destruction. That is the nature of sin. It presents itself as fun, as pleasure or as profit. But in the end, it is nothing but destruction. Self-destruction.

Christians are often called unloving when we identify sin as sin. But if the Word of God is true, then we are simply trying to prevent people from engaging in spiritual suicide. Is it love to stand by and watch as someone destroys themselves?

Satan's schemes resulted in his own destruction. My sinful choices may seem fun at the moment, but they are spiritual suicide. Each time I choose sin I am not only offending God but hurting myself.

Father, you are the Creator of Life and the one who blesses me with life both eternal and abundant. Help me to remember that rebellion against you is not only offensive, but destructive to all that you have intended to bless me with.