Tag: Satan entered
Satan entered Judas
Scripture reading for April 2: Luke 22
“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover. And the chief priest and the scribes were seeking how to put Him to death, for they feared the people. Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of a crowd.” Luke 22:1-6
If our world view does not give any credence to the spirit world, we lack the discernment of spirits needed to avoid deception. In the natural world, many people believe in Satan and demons and understand that they cause evil. Some have experienced Satan entering them or someone they know and seen the tragic results. Believers in Jesus have God’s Word that explains the clash of the spiritual kingdom of darkness and death with the Spirit of God and Life. We are wrestling against these wicked spiritual entities as we preach the Gospel and are used in spiritual Gifts of healing and deliverance. We recognize that evil, sickness, disease, confusion, strife and hatred are indications of Satan’s work and possible indwelling.
As Jesus was preparing for the Passover with His disciples, Judas Iscariot left the company of disciples and invited Satan to indwell him. We are not told exactly how this happened in Scripture. Judas was the keeper of Jesus’ money bag and had been taking for himself. Judas had participated in the ministry by going out and healing and casting out devils. Judas was not implicated by other disciples when Jesus announced His betrayal at the meal. Judas betrayed his Master by going to the chief priests and bargaining for a price of betrayal. Judas would be directly confronted by Jesus at the Last Supper about his betrayal. (Luke 22:22-23) His tragic end was taking his own life without evident repentance.
How would you rate your understanding of the spirit world and Satan’s power to enter someone? Have you ever experienced Satan’s enticement to evil? What are some steps to preventing Satan from entering you or your family?
Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You are a good Father and a Life-giver and that You are love. Thank You for delivering me from Satan’s grip through the Gospel. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me daily in discernment of spirits and resisting the devil that he would flee from me and my family. Amen.
Judas Iscariot
Scripture reading for April 23rd: Luke 21:29-22:13
Do you ever think about what it would have been like to be one of the disciples that Jesus originally chose? I would have loved to see the miracles, gotten to know the Son of God, and learned how to fish for men’s souls! These disciples were so blessed, and yet one of them did not recognize it!
“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.” (Luke 22:1-6)
Judas was evidently aware of this plot to kill Jesus. Jesus had warned them several times prior to this about His coming death and resurrection. (Luke 18:31-33) Luke states that “Satan entered Judas” and he went to the leaders of the Jews and conspired with them to betray Jesus. He did this for an agreed upon sum of money, thirty pieces of silver. ( This is said to have been the common price of a slave in that time.) The question is how could one who had been so close to Jesus for so long allowed Satan to enter his life?
The Apostle John gives us insight into Judas’ problem. When the woman came and anointed Jesus with the expensive perfume, Judas spoke up. “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” (John 12:5-6) Judas may have started out right, but his love of money was stronger than his love for Jesus.
Sadly, this same problem can happen today in our culture! Jesus taught that it was impossible to serve God and money. Examine your life today as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Is there anything in your life that might cause you to betray your Lord?