The Devil's Nature
If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 JOHN 2:1
+
The Devil's Nature
And this is the devil's nature and true color by which he should be recognized. He is such a wicked spirit that he can make great sins so small that they will not be seen; and, on the other hand, he can make small sins great, so that someone gnaws at, torments, and kills himself over them. Therefore, a Christian ought to learn not to let his conscience be easily troubled. But if he believes in Christ and desires to be righteous, if he contends against sin as much as he can, yet in the expectation that at times he will trip and stumble, then he does not allow such stumbling to destroy his good conscience. Instead, he says, “May this wrongdoing and stumbling depart from me along with the other infirmities and sins that I must include in the article of the Creed, 'I believe in the forgiveness of sins,' and the Fifth Petition of the Our Father, 'Forgive us our trespasses.' "
From Sermons on the Gospel of John, Chapters 17-20 (Luther's Works 69:203)
1 JOHN 2:1
+
The Devil's Nature
And this is the devil's nature and true color by which he should be recognized. He is such a wicked spirit that he can make great sins so small that they will not be seen; and, on the other hand, he can make small sins great, so that someone gnaws at, torments, and kills himself over them. Therefore, a Christian ought to learn not to let his conscience be easily troubled. But if he believes in Christ and desires to be righteous, if he contends against sin as much as he can, yet in the expectation that at times he will trip and stumble, then he does not allow such stumbling to destroy his good conscience. Instead, he says, “May this wrongdoing and stumbling depart from me along with the other infirmities and sins that I must include in the article of the Creed, 'I believe in the forgiveness of sins,' and the Fifth Petition of the Our Father, 'Forgive us our trespasses.' "
From Sermons on the Gospel of John, Chapters 17-20 (Luther's Works 69:203)
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever