Volume 45   Number 2                                                                                    October 2002

Today I want to talk about Satan. I suspect you are thinking "Why talk about Satan in this publication?". Satan has a great effect on our lives, so if you do not acknowledge his existence and study about him then he has a great advantage over you. "KNOW THY ENEMY"

Satan rules this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) and GOD gives you an escape route by the Bible. He even sent HIS SON down to guide us through the maze that Satan has created for us. The Bible has become our map and guide through this gauntlet of deception.

Just think how those people feel who safely made it through the maze of pitfalls and snares, to emerge out into the glory of GOD and HIS promised land! Just to realize that they made it! It is no wonder that they are so elated. To be bathed in the Glory of GOD, free from worry and pain, to be safe at last. Once again to walk with their creator. GLORY BE TO GOD!

Who, and what, is Satan? Satan is an angel. He is so strong that even Michael the archangel viewed him as a foe too powerful to oppose (Jude 9). In his original state and authority, Satan apparently had great power and dignity. But GOD removed him from his position. (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel. 28:11-19.) Satan is the epitome of greed, slander, envy, pride, ambition, malice, falsehood, and just plain all-around evil. He gained the power of death through Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). Christ broke through that power with his death by crucifixion and resurrection (Hebrews 2:4-15). Apparently, Satan also has high intelligence. Through it, he deceived Eve and caused Adam to sin. The first couple lost their freedom through his wiles causing sin and death to enter the world (Genesis 1:26; 3,1-7; 2 Corinthians 11:3). His cleverness enables him to carry out his deceptive work almost at will. If you ever get the idea that you can contend with Satan without GOD, that is just what Satan wants you to think!

Satan is the great opposer, or adversary, of GOD and man. His name, "Satan", means "adversary", while "Devil" means the "accuser". He is rightly named! Through Cain, Satan killed Abel, then did the same to many of the prophets. He even wanted to kill JESUS before HIS time (John 8:40). Satan is also known by other names throughout the Bible but I will not list them here.

Satan has had since the beginning of time to hone his skills, another reason to have respect for him, as did Michael the Archangel. Do NOT underestimate him! Satan uses many methods to separate GOD from man. One of his favorite is expressed as, "I am saved. I am going to Heaven.". Satan knows that if he can get you to think this way, that you will have a tendency to let down your guard. He also knows that you are making a judgment that is the LORD'S only on Judgment Day. He knows that this does not sit very well with the LORD. You must never let down! Work with the help of the LORD to follow GOD'S commandments so you may achieve GOD'S promise until your allotted time is up.

Satan's influence in worldly affairs is also clearly revealed (John 12:31). Satan exercises his evil power through unseen spirits called "demons." (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12: 7,9). The Savior's attack against Satan's kingdom (Matthew 12:28,29; Acts 10:38) brought forth an outburst of demonic activity unprecedented in history. The Devil is permitted to afflict GOD'S people (Luke 13:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; Hebrews 2:14). But through faith and patience, he will never be able to win an ultimate victory over the saints of the Most High (John 14:30; 16:33)!

Satan's ambition is to replace GOD in his passionate yearning, to have others worship him (Matthew 4: 8-9; Revelation 13:4, 12). Satan's methods are designed ultimately to silence the GOSPEL. He seeks to stop the spread of GOD'S Word (Matthew 13:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18). When the GOSPEL is preached, Satan tries to blind peoples' understanding so they can not grasp the meaning of the message (2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)

Satan is destined to fail in his continuing rebellion against GOD. His final defeat is predicted in the New Testament (Luke 10:18; John 12:31; Revelation 12:9; 20:10) The death of Christ on the cross is the basis for Satan's final defeat (Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 Peter 3:18,22; Revelation 12:11a).

Strength for a Christian's victory over sin has also been provided through the death of Christ. We have assurance that "the GOD of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly" (Romans 16:20). But such personal victory depends on our will to offer resistance to Satan's temptations. (Ephesians 4: 25-27; 1 Peter 5:8-9). To help Christians win this battle against Satan, GOD has provided the power of Christ's blood (Revelation 12:11a), the continuing prayer of Christ in heaven for believers (Hebrews 7:25), the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14), and various weapons for spiritual warfare. (Ephesians 6:10-18).

The end of Satan is made plain to us by Jesus in Matthew 25:41 when He tells us that the lake of fire was prepared for "the devil and his angels." If you know where Satan is headed, why do you still want to follow him? Why allow him to continue to reign in your life? How much better to follow the Son of God Who loves us so much that He gave His life for us. Has Satan done anything like that for you?

That which I am is through the Grace of GOD, thus the words you read herein.