It's a phrase that mostly everyone has heard, "selling your soul to the devil". But can someone reallysell their soul in return for money,fame, and all the desires of their hearts? Does the devil have that kind of power?
By reading the story of the temptation of Jesus, we get a clearer idea about "selling your soul" and how satan tries to entice mankind;
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Matthew 4 gives us a good picture of how the devil tempts men. His tactics are to offer us riches and splendor. He even entices us with promises of authority over kingdoms! The devil offers men an easy and quick way to get all their desires, with minimal effort. This is where selling your soul comes into play!
But is this an actual transaction? Well in a way yes, it is a transaction. The devil tempts you with what seems to be an irresistible offer, but if you do accept it, you accept them with a price. If Jesus would have accepted the devils offer to receive all the kingdoms of the world, that means he would have to "bow down and worship" the devil. So in essence, this means you have to sell yourself to the devil to receive his rewards--this means selling your soul.
Many actors,politicians,singers and the like have sadly soul their souls to get the "blessings" they longed for. How can you tell who sold their soul and who didn't? It's pretty easy actually, just look at their fruits! Matthew 7:16 says, "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
So celebrities like Beyonce,Lady Gaga and Rhianna, who give obscene and provocative performances, and whose lyrics promote lust and vanity, have "sold their souls" for fame and fortune. Would a Holy God bless this type of behavior? Absolutely not! It's a shame to see these kind of celebrities thank God on stage, when in reality, whether they are aware or not, they are giving thanks to the devil! "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" -Mark 8:36
More verses on the devils temptation:
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." -Matthew 26:41
"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed." -James 1:13-14
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. -Ephesians 6:10-13
By reading the story of the temptation of Jesus, we get a clearer idea about "selling your soul" and how satan tries to entice mankind;
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Matthew 4 gives us a good picture of how the devil tempts men. His tactics are to offer us riches and splendor. He even entices us with promises of authority over kingdoms! The devil offers men an easy and quick way to get all their desires, with minimal effort. This is where selling your soul comes into play!
But is this an actual transaction? Well in a way yes, it is a transaction. The devil tempts you with what seems to be an irresistible offer, but if you do accept it, you accept them with a price. If Jesus would have accepted the devils offer to receive all the kingdoms of the world, that means he would have to "bow down and worship" the devil. So in essence, this means you have to sell yourself to the devil to receive his rewards--this means selling your soul.
Many actors,politicians,singers and the like have sadly soul their souls to get the "blessings" they longed for. How can you tell who sold their soul and who didn't? It's pretty easy actually, just look at their fruits! Matthew 7:16 says, "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
So celebrities like Beyonce,Lady Gaga and Rhianna, who give obscene and provocative performances, and whose lyrics promote lust and vanity, have "sold their souls" for fame and fortune. Would a Holy God bless this type of behavior? Absolutely not! It's a shame to see these kind of celebrities thank God on stage, when in reality, whether they are aware or not, they are giving thanks to the devil! "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" -Mark 8:36
More verses on the devils temptation:
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." -Matthew 26:41
"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed." -James 1:13-14
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. -Ephesians 6:10-13
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