Bible Question:

This question was asked by a member of my church. Can you sell your soul to the Devil? Someone said that one of their relatives had probably sold their soul to the Devil. The person wanted to know if that was possible. Where would you find that in the Bible?

Bible Answer:

The Bible does not state if you can sell your soul to the devil. If we look at the conversation between Satan and God in the first two chapters of Job, we discover that Satan apparently cannot do anything to anyone who believes in God unless God allows it (Job 1:9-10). We are told that Satan asked for permission to harm Job and then God granted him permission but limited what Satan could do to Job.

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD. (NASB) Job 1:12

God was in total control. This means that no one can “sell his soul to Satan” unless God allows it. Can Satan own someone’s soul? The answer is no since God will some day determine where everyone goes. God determines who goes to heaven or to the Lake of Fire. God has total control. In fact, God will some day send Satan to the Lake of Fire. There is an important study we would encourage you to read titled, “The King Reigns.” It will describe what happens to Satan and every human being.

Conclusion:

But most people are already going to the Lake of Fire. They did not sell their souls to Satan. Their problem is unbelief. They do not believe that Jesus is God, that He died for their sins, and returned to life. Those who do believe and who want His forgiveness will go to heaven. That is the only way to go to heaven. Everybody else will go the Lake of Fire. Listen to Jesus’ words,

He who believes is not condemned but he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18

The decision everyone has to make is not whether to sell one’s soul to Satan, but “Will you believe in Jesus?” Would you like to make sure you are going to heaven and not the Lake of Fire? If so, let me encourage you to believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins. Read “Searching for God” to learn more.