Bible Question:
How does Satan operate in the world? Can he influence events in our lives? Can he plant thoughts and impulses in our minds and hearts? Does he communicate strictly through the five senses? Looking for any Scriptural teaching on this subject... Thanks! --Cheryl |
Bible Answer: Greetings Cheryl, Satan is a highly intelligent being (Ezekiel 28:12) who has literally had thousands of years of experience in dealing with human beings, and by this "experience" only can he seem to 'plant thoughts' and impulses in our minds.. Satan tempts believers to sin (Ephesians 2:1,2; 1 Thess. 3:5), to lie (Acts 5:3), and to commit sexually immoral acts (1 Corinthians 7:5), all deeds of which separate us from God (Micah 3:4; Romans 8:7). He accuses and slanders believers (Revelation 12:10), hinders our work any way he can (1 Thess. 2:18), sows 'weeds' among us (Matt. 13:38,39), and incites persecutions against Christians (Revelation 2:10). Moreover, Satan has access to a vast network of demonic spirits who answer to him (Revelation 12:4,7). Satan seeks to wage war against believers (Ephesians 6:11,12), opposes us with the ferocity of a hungry lion (1 Peter 5:8), seeks to plant doubt in our minds (Genesis 3:1-5) and foster spiritual pride in our hearts (1 Tim. 3:6), leading us away from "the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:3). No wonder our Lord found it necessary to provide us with 'spiritual armor' to protect us from Satan (Ephesians 6:11-18). But we have Jesus in our defense against Satan, making intercession for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). Certainly Christ's intercession for us includes the kind of intercession He made for His disciples in John 17:15, where He specifically asked the Father to keep them safe from the evil one. Also, effective use of the Word of God is especially important for spiritual victory, since Jesus quoted the Word to defeat the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4). We must be alert to Satan's attacks (1 Peter 5:8) and his tactics (2 Cor. 2:11) so that we can stand firm against the devil (Ephesians 6:13,14) and resist him (James 4:7). Jesus has given us a great example of what to pray in the Lord's Prayer by teaching us to pray "deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13) and in Luke 22:31,32. Satan is "on a leash", and has an end in sight (Revelation 20:7-10). Blessings to you, Makarios |