Satan's influence dwells in a person's heart/mind and encourages that person to respond to the lust of his flesh. Satan says jump and we say, how high?
Satan does not dwell in my heart or mind.
Sin dwells in my flesh.
My heart has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
I, by the grace of God, keep myself, and cleanse myself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, as I perfect holiness in the fear of God.
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
The fear of the Lord is a foundation of life to turn one away from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27
Jesus said we,
His people, are to fear God.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him
who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28
Why did Jesus tell His people, His disciples, His Apostle's to fear God who is able to destroy both their body and soul in hell.
Here is an example of this very thing.
41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘
Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do
it to one of the least of these, you did not do
it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:41-46
These are
His people,
His servants, that He is speaking these words to: Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire...
They were expected to bear the fruit of righteousness, and did not.
They recognized Jesus as Lord.
This is the evidence that we are indeed abiding in Him.
...they glorify God
for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ
6 But this
I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7
So let each one
give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God
is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all
things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:
“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have
sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while
you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry,
they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for
your liberal sharing with them and all men, 2 Corinthians 9:6-13
and again
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with
the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11
JLB
