BILLY GRAHAM

DEAR DR. GRAHAM: Does Satan cause all the problems the world seems to be having right now? And if he does, does this mean we can’t really do very much about them?

— Mrs. M.M. DEAR MRS. M.M.: Satan is a very powerful spiritual being who is absolutely opposed to God and to everything good. Furthermore, the Bible tells us that he is actively working (often in unseen ways) to bring destruction and death wherever he can. Jesus labeled Satan “a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth” (John 8:44).

Ultimately, therefore, Satan is responsible for all the evil in the world. But how does Satan work? Sometimes, the Bible tells us, he works in very direct ways, inserting himself into human affairs and openly trying to cause chaos and evil. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, for example, Satan confronted Jesus directly, unsuccessfully tempting Him to turn away from God’s plan for His life (see Matthew 4:1-11).

But Satan often works indirectly, through the evil inclinations of our own hearts. We are not innocent bystanders; within each of us is a capacity for great evil — whether we admit it or not. Yes, Satan has rebelled against God — but so have we, and we alone are responsible when we choose evil over good. The Bible says, “All have turned away ... there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12).

This is why we need Christ; we need His forgiveness, and we need His strength to live the way we should. And He offers these to us as a free gift, when we turn to Him by faith and open our hearts and lives to Him. Commit your life to Him today. The Bible says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28201; call 877-2-GRAHAM, or visit the website for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.

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