What Makes the Devil Happy?
Have you ever wondered what makes the devil happy? It’s a strange question, because when I think of the devil, I don’t usually think of happiness or joy.
The truth is, fear is what really makes the devil happy. More specifically, fear is when we have a strong negative emotional or physical reaction to something outside our control. At its core, fear is based on the facts we know about ourselves, which trigger us to react to situations we can't control or fix. But the opposite of fear is faith.
In the Bible, Hebrews 11:1 says: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” If you read that again, you’ll see: faith means being confident in what we hope for — even if we can’t see it. It’s also being sure about things we don’t see, based on trust in God.
How is that different from fear?
Fear often comes from trusting in past mistakes or expecting bad things to happen — the “things that can go wrong.” And we can be negative or anxious about what we don’t see, based on thoughts or fears we allow to take hold (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).
It’s not about what evidence we have. It’s about what we choose to put our hope in and what we believe to be true.
Here are two quick tips for walking in faith instead of fear:
Read your Bible regularly. Reading God's Word shouldn’t just be a routine; it should be a way to remember God’s victories throughout history. From the stories of David in the Old Testament to Jesus and the disciples spreading the gospel around the world — these stories encourage us. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and be inspired when you read. It will help you grow and see your Bible reading as more than just a duty — it becomes a way God shapes your mind.
Be careful what you watch and listen to. Entertainment can waste time and also challenge your values, especially if you watch things that don’t align with your faith. Movies, music, TV — all of it. The standard you should use is what the Bible teaches (you need to search it for yourself) and being part of a healthy, encouraging church community.
Let’s not give the devil a reason to be happy by living in fear when life gets tough. And don’t forget to spend time with Jesus when things are good! Handling the good times well helps us keep our focus on Christ first, instead of turning inward or looking somewhere else for strength — because real power comes from a relationship with Him.