This past weekend, I attended my husband’s hometown church. The visiting minister delivered quite a message, but I didn’t take notes. Meanwhile, my church continued their series “Between a Rock and a Hard Place.” I was able to watch and listen to an interesting discussion entitled “Does Satan Exist” yesterday – click HERE if you’re interested. As I do every week, I thought I’d share some of what I learned (I also find it’s a good way for me to really reflect on God’s word throughout the week).
Before we speak directly of Satan, let’s discuss angels. Do you believe in angels?
I actually don’t know much about angels, but I definitely believe that they exist. What I learned though this weekend is that like humans, angels are created by God…and they never die. In fact, we don’t actually become angels when we die (meaning we don’t grow wings and start playing a harp – if I can’t play a harp now, I guarantee you that I won’t be playing a harp in heaven). Notice I didn’t say that heaven doesn’t exist (although we’ll dive deeper into that discussion next week I think), just that we don’t become angels when we die.
I learned that angels have personalities, they communicate, they have free will to make choices and they show emotions – much like Tinker Bell…every time a human being accepts Christ, the angels celebrate. There also seems to be some sort of hierarchy when it comes to angels. For example, we know of Michel as the Arc Angel and Gabriel as the Head Messenger. I guess there are also seraphims (angels that worship God above his thrown) and cherubims (angels that worship God around the thrown).
Hebrews 13:2 “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
We are definitely surrounded by angels, including the evil one – Satan, formally known as Lucifer (meaning Star of the Morning). From what I understand, like many of angels, Lucifer was incredibly talented and beautiful. Unfortunately, it all started to go to his head and he attempted go against God. The event is recounted in Isaiah 14:13-14 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
As a result, God cast Satan out of heaven and onto earth taking a third of all angels with him. We now refer to these angels as demons. It was then, in the Garden of Eden, that a war began. I’m sure you recall the story of Adam, Eve and the Tree of Knowledge. God certainly punished Adam and Eve for disobedience, but he also placed a series of curses on those responsible for the fall of mankind. Genesis 3:14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.
With all that in mind, what is Satan’s objective?
1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Satan would love nothing more than to destroy our lives and our relationships, but he would settle for just blinding our minds.
2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Satan has desensitized us to his ways – so much so that we don’t even realize he’s attacking. In fact, his most successful attack is subtly taking us away from our relationship with Jesus and God. 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. It happens all the time…slowly we start missing church, then we start re-prioritizing our lives so that God is no longer first. Then, he starts attacking our mind.
What’s his strategy?
- Satan is the tempter…even in Jesus’ lifetime. Matthew 4: 1-3 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Much like God, Satan knows us…he studies us and he knows our weaknesses. Unfortunately, all too often, we fall for temptation, but he doesn’t stop there.
- Satan is an accuser. He’ll accuse us night and day for the things we’ve done in our past..things that we should have long forgiven ourselves for…things that God has forgiven. He’ll make us believe that God will no longer accept us – or that the Church doesn’t accept people like us…and we might believe him. Everytime we ask for forgiveness, he’ll just up the ante.
- Recognize Satan’s presence and be alert!
- Recognize Satan’s power. 1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. How do you resist? Get into the word…read your bible…know where the lines are. I spoke of this a few months ago: Dead End Road.
- Rely on God. Psalm 91:1-2 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” We never outgrow temptation, but God will deliver us from Satan’s traps…he’ll provide refuge…he’ll even provide Guardian Angels to protect us even when we aren’t watching out for ourselves. 1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
I tell ya what – all this talk of angels and demons puts me in the mood for a little heavy metal. If you’re not familiar with Skillet, they are my favorite Christian heavy metal band…and even better LIVE! Have a great Tuesday and be alert – he’s out there!
