Bob Deffinbaugh,
Th.M
Satan is more than
willing to accept men’s adoration and obedience indirectly. If we become his
servants by serving our own interests and seeking the satisfaction of our
fleshly desires, Satan gladly accepts our indirect submission to him. In fact, I
think he even delights in it, because he is the great deceiver. How he must find
pleasure in letting men think they are free, when they are really his
slaves!
It does not seem
advisable to give Satan credit for every evil deed, or to blame him for every
instance of opposition, difficulty, or temptation. Job did not know the Satan
was behind the tragedies which came into his life. It does not seem that he
needed to know. What he needed to know what that an all-wise, all-powerful God
was in control of the universe, and of his life. What Job needed to do more than
to “bind Satan” was to believe and obey God. Satan’s fingerprints may often be
found on much of the evil and suffering which takes place in this world, but
some of the evil comes from our own flesh (James 1:13-15), and from living in a
sinful and fallen world (Romans 8:18-25).
(4) Satan’s opposition
is the outworking of his own rebellion and distorted perception. To put it
simply, Satan’s opposition is guided by his own warped perception of reality. He
cannot believe that anyone would worship God on the basis of Who He is, rather
than on the basis of what He gives. Satan cannot think of God as our Reward, but
only as the Rewarder of those who do His bidding. And so it is that Satan sought
to afflict Job, thinking that his submission and obedience would immediately
cease.
Satan tempts those in
power by appealing to their pride and ambition, because that is the way he
responded to his position of power. He appeals to those under authority to act
independently, rather than to submit to those over us. He appeals to
self-interest and he urges us to shun self-sacrifice. He knows nothing of grace,
and he delights in the downfall of others.
Satan’s perception is
warped. He is not all-knowing, nor is he all-powerful. He operates on the basis
of his own distorted perception of reality. Sinful men easily and readily
identify with his mindset and motivation, but Christians must reject it for the
evil it is. And when Christians act like their Master, Satan is mystified and
angered. He cannot fathom why anyone would submit to God and worship
him.
(5) Satan is a
defeated foe, but his complete demise is yet future. We have already alluded to
Satan’s defeat at the cross of Calvary. Nevertheless, we shall say it once
again. Satan’s demise is certain.
(6) Satan’s present
opposition to the people and purposes of God appears to be detrimental to the
church, but in reality Satan is actually furthering God’s purpose and plan for
creation. God has purposed to delay casting Satan into the lake of fire because
in his freedom to operate as the “god of this world” he is unwittingly
fulfilling God’s purposes. He is thus bringing glory to God and producing that
which God uses for our good. While Satan inspired Judas to betray our Lord, this
was necessary to accomplish our salvation. And although Satan’s messenger may
have afflicted Paul with a thorn in the flesh, this was for Paul’s good (see 2
Corinthians 12:7-10). Satan is always on a chain, God’s chain. While he carries
on his work with evil intent, God uses him for our good, and for His glory.
There is not one thing which Satan is allowed to do which does not promote God’s
purposes, His glory, and our good. The outcome of the spiritual war between
Satan and God is certain. The struggle is a part of God’s eternal plan. And
standing against his attacks in the strength of the full armor of God is our
duty.
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