Job knew nothing about Satan’s challenge to God and had no idea that the enemy was using him as a reason for slandering the Lord. Neither did Job know that God would use his sufferings to defeat Satan. God’s people are soldiers on the battlefield, but there are times when they are the battlefield!
If you obey God only because He blesses you, the shallowness of your faith will show up in the testing time (Matt. 7:24–27; 13:20–21). Faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted (James 1:1–8; 1 Pet. 1:3–9).
When Satan accuses you before God (or to yourself), remember that Jesus Christ is your defending Advocate in heaven; turn your case over to Him (Zech. 3; Rom. 8:31–39; 1 John 2:1–2; Rev. 12:10).
Satan
Origin. Satan is a rebellious angel who was judged by God and fell from holiness to wickedness (Isa. 14:12–15). The angels who fell with him make up his army of spirits opposed to God and God’s people (Eph. 6:10–13; Luke 11:18). Because Satan is a created being, he is not equal to God; though he possesses tremendous wisdom and power, Satan is always subject to God’s will.
Nature. He is a liar and murderer (John 8:44); an adversary (1 Pet. 5:8–9); the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4); the ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 1 John 5:19); a deceiver (2 Cor. 11:3); a destroyer (Rev. 9:11; Abaddon means “destruction”); and a counterfeiter of God (Matt. 13:24–30, 36–43; 2 Cor. 11:13–15). The word Satan means “adversary,” and devil means “slanderer, accuser” (Zech. 3:1–5).
Works. Satan can seek to deceive your mind (Gen. 3:1ff.; Matt. 16:21–23; 2 Cor. 11:3); snatch away God’s Word (Matt. 13:19); attack your body (Job 2:4–7; 2 Cor. 12:7); control your will (1 Chron. 21:1ff.; 2 Tim. 2:26); destroy your possessions (Job 1:13ff.); hinder your work for the Lord (1 Thess. 2:18); make you proud (1 Tim. 3:6–7); cause persecution (Rev. 2:10); and tempt you to sin (Matt. 4:1ff.). When you have sinned, he can accuse you and discourage you (2 Cor. 2:6–11). You must claim God’s forgiveness by faith (1 John 1:9).
Defeat. In His life, death, resurrection, and ascension, Christ defeated Satan and his evil hosts (John 12:31–33; Eph. 1:15–2:10; Col. 2:13–15). God’s people must recognize the devil and know when he is at work (2 Cor. 2:11); respect him, because he is powerful and subtle (1 Pet. 5:8); and resist him with the Word of God and prayer (Matt. 4:1–11; James 4:7; Eph. 6:17–18). The believer must wear the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:10ff.) and use the spiritual equipment. There is overcoming power in the blood of Christ (Rev. 12:11) and the power of the Spirit (1 John 4:4).
“Nor give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:27). In Ephesians 4:17–32, Paul names some sins that can give Satan a foothold in your life: lust, lying, anger, stealing, corrupt speech, evil speaking, an unforgiving spirit, bitterness, malice, and so forth. Any sinful thing that belonged to your old life can be used by the devil to ruin your new life, so be sure to keep your heart clean before the Lord.
Future. Satan still has access to heaven (Job 1–2; Zech. 3) but one day will be thrown out (Rev. 12:7–12). When the Lord Jesus comes to establish His kingdom, He will cast Satan into hell, the lake of fire, where he will be tormented forever (Rev. 19:11–20:3). Hell was prepared for Satan and his angels, but people who reject Christ and believe Satan’s lies will suffer in hell with him (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:11–15).
