The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Q: Where do evil thoughts and ideas come from? Does the devil put them in our minds? I’d hate for anyone to know what’s actually going through my mind sometimes.

A: One of the Bible’s greatest truths is that God knows all about us—including even the bad things that are going through our minds. And yet He still loves us, and wants us to cleanse us and make us part of His family forever! The Bible says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Yes, ultimately Satan is responsible for all the evil in the world—even the evil thoughts that go through our minds. He is absolutely opposed to God, and will do everything he can to tempt us and turn us away from Him. At times, therefore, Satan may be able to put evil thoughts directly into our minds. For example, when Judas turned against Jesus and secretly betrayed Him to His enemies, the Bible says that “Satan entered Judas” (Luke 22:3).

But Judas alone was responsible for what he did; he could not blame Satan for his actions. Driven by greed, he willingly accepted the money he was offered to reveal where Jesus could be found. In other words, Satan only took advantage of his sinful desires. The Bible warns that “each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed” (James 1:14).

Don’t give in to Satan’s temptations, and don’t be content to let your mind wander in places it shouldn’t. Instead, turn to Jesus Christ and commit your life to Him. Then ask Him to fill your mind with His love and peace and righteousness. The Bible says “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Q: Recently I decided to read the Bible, and I started with the book of Revelation. But after the first few chapters I really got confused, and I don’t understand what it’s talking about.

A: Revelation (the last book in the Bible) was written to tell us about the future—especially the final conflict between God and Satan, and the triumph of Jesus Christover all the powers of evil and death and Hell. As its first verse declares, it is “The revelation from Jesus Christ … to show his servants what must soon take place” (Revelation 1:1).

Much of Revelation was written in symbolic language, using word pictures and images that are sometimes difficult for modern readers to understand. (One reason may be because its human author, the Apostle John, was in prison for his faith, and may have had to use symbolic language to get it past the Roman censors.) Throughout the centuries, Christians have found great encouragement in its message—especially during times of persecution.

Bible scholars haven’t always agreed on what each image symbolizes—but this shouldn’t discourage you from reading it, because its central message is clear: God, not Satan, will be the final victor over evil. At the end of the present age Christ’s victory will be complete, and the angel’s proclamation will be true: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

Don’t get bogged down, trying to figure out every detail. Instead, look for its central message. However, if you’ve never read the Bible before, I suggest you start elsewhere, such as one of the Gospels (I often suggest John). They point us to Jesus Christ, who alone is worthy of our worship—and our lives.