The Power of Satan

The Power of Satan
June 1, 2009
Luke 4:6 "And [Satan] said to [Jesus], "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.""

Many Christians do not recognize that Satan does have real power. Denying that Satan has real power is akin to putting your head in the sand like an ostrich. You may not recognize his power or want to think about it, but it does exist. Even if you don't believe Satan has power doesn't mean you aren't being fooled. In fact, Satan does have power, more so if you fail to recognize it.

Satan was tempting Jesus and offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would bow down and worship him. Satan's words indicated that he has power and authority in this earthly realm. Jesus did not call him a liar when Satan made the declarations, as Jesus knew his words were true. No, Jesus had to resist Satan. Satan has the power to grant fame, fortune, health, and much more. This is not an effort to give more power and authority to Satan, but an effort to make you aware of its power and existence in this life. If you don't believe me, read the tenth chapter of Daniel, where you find an arch angel delayed three weeks because he was busy battling the power of Satan.

This is not to scare you and say that the devil has absolute power over your life, but it is an effort to make you soberly aware of its presence and Satan's efforts to attack you. Satan is after one thing, to steal you away from serving God. If Satan cannot tempt you into serving him, he will tempt you into serving other idols (yourself, status, fame, money, etc). And Satan will take every opportunity he can to attack you in every vulnerable place you have (health, finances, marriage, peace, etc.). Believe me, Satan is good at his job.

There is a flip side, though, to the power of Satan. Satan is defeated. The wording in the phrase is past tense. He is already defeated. Satan knows that, in the end, he is toast. Because of this, he will do all he can to cause as much pain as possible. In the mean time, you must do what Jesus did. Resist him. Resist the devil and he must flee. In order to resist him, you must first acknowlege that his power is at work trying to destroy you.

But just a few chapters after Satan declares his power and authority to Jesus, Jesus declares the power and authority we have over Satan. Jesus said, "I have given you authority to . . . overcome all the power of the enemy." This is a powerful statement, Christian. Just as Satan has the power to attack you, you have the power to overcome him. Be aware of Satan's attack, be constantly aware. When you become aware, resist him and his attack. Invoke the power of Jesus' name and stop Satan in his tracks.

1. Are you aware, daily, of Satan working against you?
2. What steps do you take to resist him on a daily basis?
3. Are you exercising your authority over Satan?

Add. Scriptures for Study: Daniel 10, Matt 4:9, Luke 10:19, Acts 26:17-18, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8