Satanology: Part Four (Interaction of Satan)

Interaction of Satan

· With God

° God the Father

· Although Satan is now the ruler of the earth with his mind set on opposing God, we see from Scripture that Satan is still under the sovereign authority of God. Satan is not God’s coequal. Satan has to approach the throne of God and give a report on his actions. He has great powers, but they are only as great to the extent God gives him permission to express them. Even with Satan’s mindset to be contrary to God, God uses him to do His will.

· Job 1:6-2:7; II Samuel 24:1 and I Chronicles 21:1;

II Corinthians 12:7 and Galatians 4:12-15; Luke 22:1-6; John 13:2,3,21-30; I Corinthians 5:5 and I Timothy 1:20.

° God the Son

· It was Satan who caused Judas to betray Christ to his death, but it was definitely the will of God for Christ to suffer death. It is through Christ’s death (which required the incarnation) by which the power of Satan over death and over the individual is broken. This is why Satan tried tempting Christ to take a “short-cut” which would not require His death. Peter was called “Satan” for not wanting Christ to suffer death!

· Genesis 3:15; Matthew 16:23; Luke 22:1-6; John 13:2,3,21-30; Hebrews 2:14; I John 3:8-10.

° God the Holy Spirit

· Satan opposes the work of the Holy Spirit through his interaction with people, which will be discussed next point.

·With people

° Unbelievers

· If one is not a believer, he is at the mercy of the Devil. Unbelievers are considered the children of the Devil. He controls us through the world’s systems and our sinful, fleshly lusts. His primary goal is to keep the Word of God from getting to the unregenerate heart either through opposition to spreading it, or by blinding the individual from truth.

· Matthew 4:15; Luke 8:12; John 8:44; Acts 13:10; 26:18; Ephesians 2:1-3; I Thessalonians 2:18; I John 3:8-10.

° Believers

· Satan is also opposes God through His people. Satan can, and will, oppress believers through physical pain and suffering (not all physical aliments are from Satan). He tries to make shipwreck of believer’s testimonies and lives by causing us to fall into sin. Satan is the author and dispenser of false doctrine. He tempts believers to go against the Word of God and follow our own desires, and he accuses believers before God the Father. God can use Satan’s oppression to chastise disobedient brothers; but ultimately, God will use His saints to crush Satan.

· Genesis 3:15; Zechariah 3:1; Matthew 13:39; Luke 13:16; Acts 5:3; Romans 16:20; I Corinthians 5:5; 7:5; II Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:27; 6:11-12; I Timothy 1:20; 3:7; 5:15; II Timothy 2:26; James 3:15; I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8-10; Revelation 2:9-10; 3:20-25.