(Genesis 3:1-6)
One of the most stupid things we can do in
this life is try to negotiate with or talk with Satan. Now I realize many
people doubt that there really is a Satan, that he is some mythical
character with horns, a red cape, and a pitchfork. Some think that Satan is
not real, but what we call the evil side of life, something to blame all of
the pain and suffering on. As in everything, rather than try to sort
through what we think Satan is, let's go to the Bible and see who he really
is. In Ezekiel chapter 28, we find out that the devil was at one time an
angel, with access to the very throne room of God. Isaiah the prophet tells
of his fall in chapter 14, after Satan desired the very throne of God and is
cast out of Heaven because of pride, taking along 1/3 of the angels who
followed him. A quick side note. Maybe now you can see why pride is so
dangerous, it was the original sin in the universe. Satan is intelligent,
has a memory, a will, emotions, and great organizational ability. THE DEVIL
HAS READ THE BIBLE!!!! Think about that. If your enemy has read the Bible,
how much more do we have to? He is busy. He imitates God, perverts the
Word of God, hinders the works of God's servants, blinds men to the Truth,
accuses Christians before God, tempts, afflicts, deceives, undermines the
sanctity of the home, and tries to disrupt the prayers of God's people. Can
you see why he is so dangerous?
However, let me clearly tell you that his powers are limited. He is NOT
omnipresent. He can not be in more than one place at a time. He is NOT
omniscient. He does not know everything. He is NOT omnipotent. He is not
all powerful. These are only attributes of God himself. Also, and hear
this clearly....Satan can DO NOTHING apart from God allowing it to happen as
in the example of Job.
The good news is that he has already been defeated by Christ. God foretold
of Satan's demise even as early as Genesis 3:15. Knowing that prophecy,
Satan and his demons must have been rejoicing as Christ took His last breath
on the cross. However, their rejoicing turned to terror just 3 days later
when Christ rose from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ sealed
Satan's doom once and for all. The Bible tells us that his final
destination is the Lake of Fire for eternity. That is why it is so sad to
see people reject Christ. They are going to spend eternity in a place that
was never created for man, but for Satan and his fallen demons.
My prayer for you today is that you will recognize who your enemy is and
stand in the midst of whatever he may try to throw at you. Satan's final
resting place will not occur until after the millennium, which is after the
7-year tribulation, which happens after the Rapture. Until then, we still
have to contend with Satan and his hosts. Satan claims authority over this
world, which is why he is called the god of this world. He has the power to
blind sinners to the truth and contends for the saints to destroy their lives
of service and their testimony. He is a very real foe that we must contend
with. That is why the Bible warns us to be self-controlled and alert. To
submit to God and resist the devil..to stand firm in the faith. Ephesians
6:11 tells us to "put on the whole armor of God so that you can take your
stand against the Devil's schemes." Ephesians 4:27 says "...do not give
the Devil a foothold." Those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus
Christ are protected by His blood. We do not have to live in fear, but in
victory. When Jesus was in the wilderness and Satan came to tempt Him,
Jesus didn't try to negotiate with him or debate him. He simply stood on
the Word of God. Stand on that word today that says "greater is He that is
in you, than he that is in the world."
The best way to deal with Satan is by taking souls on the way to Hell and reroute them to Heaven. I love you and care about you. I am praying for you. Live in the victory that Jesus Christ has given us each and every day!
