Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. (Luke 22:3)
Some people have speculated that Judas betrayed Jesus in an effort to force Jesus into a confrontation with the Roman government. Then He would have had to use His supernatural power in self-defense and overthrow the Romans thereby giving independence back to the nation of Israel. This idea is based mainly on Judas’ response when he saw that Jesus was condemned. He “repented himself” [simple_tooltip content=’Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,’](Matt. 27:3)[/simple_tooltip], implying that the condemnation of Jesus was never his intent. However, the Bible does not say Judas possessed noble virtues. He was simply a thief.
This verse makes it very clear that Satan entered into Judas and was responsible for putting the betrayal of Jesus into Judas’ heart. We can be assured that Satan’s only purpose in motivating Judas to betray Jesus was to steal, kill, and destroy [simple_tooltip content=’The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’](John 10:10)[/simple_tooltip]. Moreover, that Satan possessed Judas does not acquit Judas of the responsibility for his actions. The devil goes about seeking whom he may devour [simple_tooltip content=’Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.’](1 Peter 5:8)[/simple_tooltip]. He cannot devour just anyone. They have to give place to him. By being a thief, Judas gave Satan access to him. He may have never intended to betray Jesus when he began to steal from Him, but once he submitted to Satan in thievery, it was hard to stop.
Sin cannot be controlled. You cannot sin “just a little.” Sin is sin in God’s eyes, and the more you give in to it, the more it captures you. In order to resist the devil and overcome his temptations to sin, you must first submit yourself to God [simple_tooltip content=’Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.’](James 4:7)[/simple_tooltip]. Once you have submitted to Him, the Holy Spirit will supernaturally empower you to say no to whatever the enemy is trying to do in your life.
