Job sermon series – thoughts on Satan

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In our second week of studies in the book of Job we touched on several subjects. I would like to elaborate for a minute on one of those. specifically what the Bible says concerning the record of Satan’s creation and fall. It is interesting to note that the two passages of scripture that speak most descriptively of Lucifer’s creation and fall are both found in passages that start off naming and describing a world leader of that time. Although both of theses texts end up clearly describing Lucifer’s creation and fall, at first glance it can be confusing because Isaiah 14 addresses the king of Babylon and Ezekiel 28 addresses the king of Tyre. Isn’t it interesting that these two political leaders could possess so much similarity to the character and actions of Satan that God could use these prophets’ statements concerning them to so accurately springboard into the story of Satan himself. So, here is my thought. Sometimes we may hear someone talk about their life with its difficulties and temptations and say “the devil has really been attacking me lately” or we may even jokingly say “the devil made me do it”. But one thing we need to remember is that Satan is not omnipresent like God. He cant be at all places at all times. (That is why when Jehovash asks him where he has been his reply was, “going to and fro in the earth, walking up and down on it” (Job 1:7) and in 1 Peter 5:8 he is said to roam about “seeking whom he may devour”.) So can Satan himself be attacking someone in North America and simultaneously be messing with someone in a different hemisphere? The answer of course is yes and no! While anyone, anywhere, at any time can be affected by the demonic forces of the kingdom of darkness and the demonic realm (as God allows), Satan himself most of the time has bigger fish to fry than to mess with you directly. It seems to be reasonable that his direct personal attempts at attack would be reserved for those high profile people whose influence would be the most far reaching. It is not uncommon for God to allow him to be very much at work in the lives of prominent world leaders, but even then it is for the fulfilling of God’s own purposes and ultimately for His glory. Please do not take this to mean that we should not constantly be on guard against the schemes of the Devil, and in light of how we see his access limited by God in Job 1 and 1John 5:18 we needn’t fear even if we were to learn, as Peter did, that Satan “has desired to sift you as wheat”.   If you are in Christ, then “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”! (1john 4:4)

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