Satan is Defeated

"And he said to them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." (Luke 10:18)

It is popular to talk about spiritual warfare today, but it is unfortunate that there are many misconceptions. The other day I heard a man say, "Satan is almost as powerful as God." While he is more powerful than you and me as natural men and women, he is no match for God. Satan is a created being, a fallen angel. God cast him out of heaven by simply speaking a word. Christ defeated Satan's power hold over us at the cross, and one day will cast him into the lake of fire. Satan is neither omnipotent, omnipresent, or omniscient, as is God.

In fact, Job 1 teaches us that God is sovereign and that Satan cannot get to us without God's permission. So the real question when we encounter spiritual warfare is not what is Satan trying to do, but why is God allowing this in my life at this time. What is it that God is doing? We know that Satan tempts us in order to bring out the worst in us, but God allows us to be tested in order to refine us and bring out the best.

James reminds us to "Submit to God and then resist the devil." The verb tense is continual action. Literally, keep on submitting to God, keep on resisting the devil, and then he will flee. God has provided every Christian all that they need to overcome the enemy. Be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might.