Satan is just doing his job!
Subject: In order to resist him - you must recognize him for who he is and what is his purpose.
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came along also to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord asked, "Where have you come from and what have you been doing?" Satan replied "Here and there upon the earth, walking to and fro."Job 2:1-2
When we read the book of Job, we find it to be one of the most remarkable books of the Bible. An Epic poem that is an illustrious ode to faith. The book takes it’s name from the main character - a man called Job. A man acclaimed as a patriarch; one who is distinguishable by his integrity and piety. His wealth was vast and because of his faithfulness to God, his domestic happiness was immeasurable. This historical recollection begins with a wager between God and Satan.
God and his board members were in the midst of a meeting and the angels were giving their reports when lo and behold, in walks Satan, late. Doing research, it appears that Satan considered himself the tattletale or the secret agent to bring back reports of failure and destruction. He could be considered a CIA agent - Chaotic Indiscretion Accuser. One could say he was a master spy on the road to becoming a hostile agent. After arriving in his flamboyant manner, disrupting the meeting in progress, God stopped and asked him where had he been and what had he been doing. After giving the response of how he was out and about causing stress and duress, God challenged him to attempt to tempt his faithful servant Job. Job a man of wealth and prestige. Job, a father, a husband. Job owner of land and cattle and servants. Job a prosperous man. Job a man of great faith. Satan, one who is indeed full of self; wanted an edge. He replied to the wager with an allegation, as he was miffed at the fact that Job was protected or shielded by God; thusly he begins accusing God of placing a hedge about him.
God informs Satan he will remove his hand from his servant, and Satan is cocky enough to believe that this is a wager he was going to win. I imagine giggling with glee as he anticipated this so called great man finally turning on God after he had suffered afflictions and infections.
Now we all know the story of Job. He lost his children. He lost his wealth. He lost his cattle. He lost his health. He lost everything. His friends talked about him and turned on him even accused him of some type of infidelity. His wife wanted him to give up and give in. Job even wavered a little and wondered why he was being forsaken; but though his faith faltered it never failed.
You see it is easy to be faithful and thankful to God when all is well and all is right. However, Job lost his empire, his offspring, and his well being. His life was torrent filled yet he knew where his strength lied. His helpmate told him to curse God and die; his comrades offered console that was incorrect and inept. However, Job ignored the unsound theology of his spouse and buddies. Job simply goes to God and pleads his case; and Satan was unsuccessful in his attempt to cause this great servant to curse God. In the end, Job’s wealth was multiplied many times over; and what Satan meant for his demise God allowed it to be his deliverance.
Let us look at the definition of Satan or Devil or Lucifer: which literally means, an adversary, antagonist, or accuser, prosecutor, persecutor, one who distresses or oppresses. In Zechariah 3:1-2 the title adversary is given. We find it to mean, destroyer, one to cause demise, one who devours and demolishes. His purpose is to dissolve and diminish the faith of God’s children to decapitate their trust and to cause their hope to die. He has distinct characteristics that all indicate one who is determined to delete those who love God. Satan’s job description indicates one who is out to cause chaos and confusion. So when adversity intrude in your life, it is necessary for you to understand, Satan will attack those who love the Lord, simply because he already owns those who refuse to acknowledge God. Why go after what you already own?
Satan has various attack methods. He will attempt to exterminate your faith. He wants to overthrow your confidence in God. He wants you to think negatively about God. He wants you to doubt the power of God. He thrives for us to be skeptical about God and his authority. Satan is not interested in what God has done or what he can do. He is not interested in what he has said or has not said. He simply wants us to doubt that God said what he said, and doubt that God had done all he has done. Satan want’s to fill our hearts with questions about God and our minds with suspension about God. He thrives to cause us to distrust God’s love as he misrepresents God to us. So we must recognized him for what he is and understand what he is doing, Satan is just doing his job.
Satan will attack our finances! He understands that many folk recognize God as the provider as long as things run smoothly. But what happens when monies run short. What happens when our finances evaporate, and where we prospered yesterday, we are bankrupt today? Satan will attack our funds to discourage, disheartened, and defeat. However, God will allow his faithful to become stronger during the period of poverty and empower them for the next phase of prosperity. But during the period of financial drought, we must remember--Satan is simply doing his job.
Satan will attack the family. When he is unsuccessful in obtaining the desired reaction from the believer, he will attack those that are close in order to cause distraction. Satan will divide in order to devour. Satan attempts to confuse to consume. But in order to resist and sustain, you must recognize Satan for who he is and for what he is. But most of all you must know God!
You see Satan is real, with great intellect. He is subtle and slick. Do not underestimate him or his cause. He desires the destruction of every person who desires to follow Christ. He will use anything and everything to distract, disappoints, and disintegrates. He walks about roaring as a lion seeking to devour. However, when you recognize the adversary, respect his ability, resist his attack, and rely on our advocate (Jesus), we are assured that this part-time worker will not be successful in his Job.
For Colossians 1:16-17 tells us that Jesus has all power simply meaning that though Satan wants to devour, Jesus has secured our destiny.
Ephesians 6:12 forewarns us of Satan and his job description
James 4:7 gives instructions on how to resist him
Ephesians 6:13 tells us how to shield against him
But we must understand He is doing his job.
1Peter 5:8 tells us to be vigilant
John 10:10 tells us that though Satan wants to destroy us, Jesus, our advocate given us abundancy!
Satan is the adversary of every believer. He is committed to doing all he can to discourage, disarm and devastate. He has come to steal, to kill, to destroy, and devour. He launches a counter attack every time someone gives his or her life to Christ. He will camp at your doorstep and attempt to take everything God has given. He will actively challenge every step of faith you endeavor to take and contest you in your spiritual growth. He is just doing his job.
But be reassured that no one can steal your victory in Christ if you do not let them. No one can take your joy in the Lord - if you refuse to relinquish it. No on can eradicate your peace if you refuse to release it. Nothing can hinder you in your spiritual growth if you will not allow it. As believers, we need to remember that the devil is not going to give up his attack, but instead we simply need to recognize the fact that he is simply doing his job.
Satan desires to keep the believer out of the Word. Simply because the word of God exposes him for what and who he is. It describes his job description and lays out the outline of his job title. God’s word is the truth and Satan deals in deceit. God’s word reveals where as Satan attempt to conceal.
Satan wants to shake our confidence. He desires to cause us to doubt God. He strives to steal each blessing God gives. He attempts to change our rejoicing and praise into regrets and pity. Satan wants us to rationalize away our miracles and relinquish our joy. But when you understand that he is simply doing his job, his petty prodding will not disturb you. Just remember that he is doing his Job.
Satan strategically plots to get Christians off course and thrives to persuade to perversion. He wants us to struggle in the storm. But God has already assured us the Storm is passing over, but we must remember, Satan is just doing his job.
Satan rally’s when the faith of a saint is destroyed
He rejoices when the joy of a believer is dashed
Lucifer succeeds only when we succumb. But when we know God, and not just know about him. When we read the word and not just wait until Sunday morning to hear it now and then; we understand who belong to and who is our help in ages past and our help for years to come. When we have that one on one relationship with the boss, those in the company that simply want to cause harm will not be successful. And when troubles come we can say I have seen the lightening flashing, I heard the thunder roll, I have seen sin breakers dashing trying to conquer my soul. But I heard the voice of Jesus, telling me still to fight on. He promised never to leave me no never alone.
When we learn to understand that though Satan meant it for our destruction, God means for our elevation. In the face of adversity you can shout Nothing between my soul and the Savior, Naught of this worlds delusive dream, I have renounced Satan = Jesus is mine there is nothing between. What Satan wants to decrease us, God will use to increase. What Satan wants to obliterate God will use to liberate. Where Satan attempts to exhaust God will use to inflate. Though Satan will try to deplete, God will allow expand. But as believers, we must recognize that Satan is just doing his job.
In conclusion, yes we may become frustrated in life and wonder where God is as life seem to deal bad hand after bad hand. Nevertheless, God wants us to remain patient. Although Satan means our discomfort to detain our blessings, God will allow today’s difficulties to strengthen us for tomorrow. What Satan is attempting to eradicate = God will use to equip us. Though Satan wants us to feel alone, God will never orphan us. Though Satan attempts to tackle us with fear; God will only use it to renew our faith. God wants us to remember Satan is simply doing his job; but we must remain hopeful and trusting. As we recognize that this problem and that difficulty is only temporary, but God will alleviate that which attempts to eradicate and revive us again. Yes sometimes life does not seem fair, but God has already secured our victory. Yes sometimes the road is rough and the going is tough, and the hills may get hard to climb; but God has already said we will succeed. Yes the sorrow may seem hard to bear, but we are assured that someday there will be no more pain and no more suffering. Oh yes Satan is busy, but his reign is limited. Yes Lucifer wants to destroy us but God has assured our destiny. Therefore, when Satan attempts to cause you to stumble let him know he is only a temp. he only hold a part-time position with limited power. Yes he will attempt to cause you to falter and faint, but God said fear not! Satan’s position allows him only minute strength, but God has all power. So regardless of what comes, and no matter how hard Satan works his occupation, remember, in the time of trouble, God said he would hide you. You see in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 we learn of how Lucifer, the Devil, Satan and his followers were cast out of the heavens and how they came to run rampant over those who love the Lord. However, in the 20th chapter of Revelations we are assured they will be annihilated. Thusly meaning Satan will be fired! So for now, this temp is simply doing his job. So when Satan comes a knocking simply shout God will take care of me! When Satan attacks profess, Can’t no body do me like Jesus. When Satan jiggles the door; let him know you have a God that hears your cries and pities every groan, and long as you live and when troubles rise, you will hasten to his throne! When Satan tries to doubt, proclaim with victory you have learned to lean on Jesus, you have found more power than you had ever dreamed. A joy you cannot explain has filled your soul since the day you met Jesus the King. Now his blessed Holy Spirit is leading your way! Oh and go on and shout, What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart, I have light in my soul for which long I have sought Since Jesus came into my heart. So don’t worry, don’t fret, Satan is a part-time employee, but God has full time power.
