“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10a ESV).”
By: Scott Schuler
Bullying crippled my childhood. Although my parents tried everything to help, fear destroyed my self-confidence with each incident. But when they signed me up for football, life began to change. Armored up in football gear I felt empowered to fend off my enemy, the opposing team. Coaches and teammates challenged me to firmly hold my ground on the gridiron. As my strength and skills grew, so did my courage.
But the bullying didn’t stop there.
When I became a Christian, I met a different sort of bully. Rather than the mean kid down the block or on the opposing team, this enemy is a spiritual bully. He tempted me. Paralyzed my life with discontent and doubt. He wanted me to fail.
His name is Satan, the enemy of every believer, who hates us because we choose to follow Jesus.
The Bible documents the work of Satan and his demons. Yet few churches and Christian studies help us understand the threat he poses. Why? Maybe it’s fear of running people away or lack of understanding his schemes, but Jesus warns us of Satan’s intentions in John 10:10.
Satan is the thief who is trying to destroy us.
Why does he exist? Referred to in the Bible as Lucifer, Day or Morning Star, and the devil (meaning false accuser or slanderer), Satan was once a powerful member of the angelic host within God’s kingdom. Discontent with his position, Satan’s greed drove him to resist God’s authority. His proud spirit eventually cost him everything. War erupted in the heavens and continues throughout time because “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).”
Isaiah 14:12–15 recounts the upheaval of a dictator, the king of Babylon. Biblical scholars believe this text also describes Satan’s resistance and ensuing fall from heaven. Five times in the passage, Satan boasts he will set himself above God. His sinful pride guarantees absolute destruction “down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit [pit of darkness or hell].”
As a result of his rebellion, God cast out Satan and a third of the stars (angels) of heaven (Revelation 12:3–14). Although it is unclear what a third of the angels represents, we can be sure a great multitude followed Satan.
Banished from God’s kingdom forever, these fallen angels are demons who work in opposition to Christians today.
Knowing Satan’s power, what action can we take? First, allow God’s word to strengthen you. Just as the courage to defend myself grew with the skills and resilience learned in football, God empowers our faith with His word, “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19 ESV)”. Second, learn about the enemy. Knowledge of Satan gives you the ability to to stand firm in faith, not fear, when life’s storms hit.
Based on this description of Satan, write out your understanding of how you view his work in the world today. How does he assault your personal life?
2 Comments
Hi! Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog. I look forward to walking together as we draw closer to Jesus.
The Conversation
A very strong and very accurate article. I’ve experienced his warfare stronger than ever before in my decades of being a Christian – not because I wasn’t living for Christ all those years, but because I chose to obey God’s call to write a genre I didn’t want to write. With each book I’ve written – by the time I’m in the editing phase, I am attacked harder each time. In my weakness, God’s strength has become known and messages I’m getting from readers prove why satan hates m obedience.
Amen Joy. You are spot on and I have experienced the same attacks. Our focus on Jesus is of utmost importance as we serve Him. The attacks are not bad as they remind us to press into Jesus for our strength and guidance.