A recent discussion centered around how powerful Satan might be.
The views expressed ranged from Satan being very powerful to Satan not being very powerful at all.
Of course, there were thoughts expressed which fell in between these two extremes.
The side which believed Satan to be very powerful opened with the idea that Satan is the enemy of God: so he must be very powerful.
But this idea is mistaken: nowhere in the Bible does it state that Satan is the enemy of God.
Satan IS the enemy of man.
There are numerous biblical accounts which illustrate that Satan hates man, never ceasing his efforts to ensnare his prey–which is MAN.
1PETER 5:8 makes this clear, calling Satan (the devil) “your adversary.”
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”
one that contends with, opposes, or resists : an enemy or opponent
So, it seems very clear that Satan is the enemy of MAN, not God. Satan, as a created being, just does not have the wherewithal to contend with his Creator.
Satan DOES have the resources to contend with man, however–which he has been doing since the fall of man in the garden of Eden.
To those who believe that Satan is VERY powerful: the devil is a created being and operates within the limits set by God. Though he and his followers may argue otherwise, Satan is on a short leash.
MORE: The Devil is on a Short Leash
To those who believe that Satan is NOT powerful at all: the devil is another order of being, created slightly higher than man.
“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”
–Psalms 8:4-5
Satan has a number of advantages when dealing with man.
- Satan is much smarter than man;
- Satan knows how to appeal to man’s vanity: he is the consummate flatterer;
- Satan exists on a different physical plane than man and is not bound by the physical laws of this dimension. This makes it much easier for Satan to impress men with displays of his “power.”
- Satan is a tricky fellow; and,
- Satan is probably the most proficient liar in history.
Man–operating on his own–is not much of a match for Satan.
Man–operating with the help of Jesus Christ and God’s Holy Spirit–may resist the devil.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
–James 4:7
MORE: Resist the Devil and He Will Flee: A Two-Step Plan
Just one more reason for the reader to make his calling and election sure.
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: November 13, 2019.]
MORE
- Satan and the World Are Strong. God is Stronger
- Under Satan’s Bus
- Satan’s Expiration Date
- University of Satan?
- Resist the Devil and He Will Flee: A Two-Step Plan
- Man Struggles Against God
- Struggling Against Salvation
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- Man Struggles Against God
- God is in Control
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
- Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Image by Jonny Lindner from Pixabay.com
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Filed under: Biblical Teachings, End Time Deception, END TIMES PREPARATION, Satan is the enemy of...who?