Listening to the men in the barbershop felt as though I was front row center at a comedy def jam show. They started talking about the inauguration and Donald Trump’s presidency. Their jokes would have made hilarious memes. The topic of politics shifted into money, fame and fortune. One of the men told a story about his friend, who said he sold his soul to the devil to buy a mansion. Years later he went bankrupt because he couldn’t afford mortgage and the mansion was foreclosed. His story went on to explain the many struggles the man faced due to the one deal he made with the devil. While the man was speaking, another man jumped in and said “Would you sell your soul to the devil?” This answer may be easy for some but to others, it may depend on the price tag.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” – Matthew 16:26
Believers, there is no amount of money in all of the universe that is worth your soul, not even 109389247247 trillion dollars! Your soul is priceless. The idea of the man selling his soul for a house is heartbreaking but it is reality. People make deals with the devil all the time and never know what they are getting themselves into and how it will effect their destiny. This life on earth is temporary and Satan uses that to his advantage. He plays on our inability to see beyond and have faith, he hopes that we will quickly trade eternity for temporary. Satan’s smooth talking is what caused Eve to take the apple, and we know how the rest played out. One wrong choice will have everlasting consequences.
“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten [Ecclesiastes 9:5].” The men at the barbershop were just goofing around but I could not have been more serious. The truth is that, selling your soul to the devil is no laughing matter. It may appear as pleasant but will always end in destruction. We must focus our minds on things from above and trust that God will bring a better deal than what Satan is offering. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things [Colossians 3:2].
The Lord has already paid the debt of our sin to free us from belonging to Satan and his evil ways. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men [1 Corinthians 7:23]. The devil is a manipulator and his tricks appeal to us but we must keep in mind, it is all a front. The enemy’s job is to steal us from God and ruin our chances of spending eternity in God’s kingdom. The devil is a hater and is just mad that he’s not welcomed into The Kingdom. Misery loves company and Satan is as miserable as it gets. He prey’s on our weakness and wants us to believe we need money and materialistic things to find happiness, peace and love. The truth is, God will provide all that and more. Consider the birds: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds [Luke 12:24]! If the birds in the sky want for nothing and God provides there every need, imagine what He will do for you! you are far more valuable than the birds in the sky.
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” -Matthew 6:31-32
If the thought of ‘selling your soul’ ever crossed your mind, just know, that is the enemy at work. He sees that your faith levels are low and He wants to ensure they remain low. You are worth more than what’s on Satan’s offer table and chances are if you wait patiently and grow in faith, God will do 10x more than the original offer. God is a God of immeasurably more and can do more than anything we could ever imagine. Despite your situation, always SmileWithFaith and know that God’s plan for you is to prosper and be hopeful. You are his child and he enjoys blessing you. Be Patient and remain in His word.
“I sold my soul to the devil: that’s a crappy deal
Least it came with a few toys like a Happy Meal
This game you could never win
Cause they love you then they hate you then they love you again
Get away from me misery
Get away from me loneliness”– Kanye West: Eyes closed