"CONNECTIONS"
Answers to questions:
Do we give Satan more credit than he deserves in our everyday situations and trials?
What “power” or ability does he have to change a situation we are in? Example – People blame bad on the devil all the time.
The short answer is; yes we give Satan more credit that he deserves. Satan has no power over the Spirit filled believer:
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:3-4
With that said, we live in a sin cursed world and must die daily; that is, we must keep a short account with God:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
If we fail the stay close to God, in Christ, we can and do stumble. While we can never lose our salvation, we can be unhappy, unfruitful, children when we are out of the will of God.
Also, when thinking about this, Job came to mind. Although one could argue that Satan had an extreme impact on his life; a careful study of the book reveals that Job actually never knew the cause of his troubles. When crunch time came, Job just trusted God; my prayer is that I will be able to do likewise.
Therefore, ultimately the problem is not with the Devil or with God, the problem is with us.
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening,
God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Hebrews 12:6-7
Back to Questions