The Devil

The Devil’s Temporary Power and God’s Eternal Victory

Have you ever felt like the world is spiraling out of control? Like evil is winning and goodness is on the retreat? If so, you’re not alone. The Bible tells us that Satan does have temporary power in this world, but it also assures us of God’s ultimate victory. Let’s explore what this means for us as believers and how we can live victoriously in a world under the influence of the evil one.

Satan’s Temporary Reign

As Christians, we often focus on the good news of the gospel, and rightly so. But it’s important to remember the danger we still face in this world. The Bible speaks of Satan as “a lion who’s creeping up on us like prey trying to devour us.” This isn’t meant to frighten us, but to keep us vigilant.

In Ephesians 2:1-2, we read:

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.”

This passage reveals that Satan temporarily controls the direction of our culture. He’s not always obvious about it, though. As I often say, “Satan is an angel of light. He makes things look really good.” He knows that most Christians aren’t going to suddenly do really bad things or believe blatant lies. Instead, he often uses good things that we put too much emphasis on, pulling us away from abiding with our Father.

The Comfort Trap

Living in a comfortable area like Spring Hill or the surrounding communities, it’s easy to get caught up in the good things of this world. There’s nothing inherently wrong with enjoying where we live, but we have to be careful that our location, our career, or our possessions don’t become our God.

I often say, “Satan’s not going to pull us away in one big pull. He’s going to pull us away a little bit at a time.” It might start with our career driving us more than our relationship with Christ, or our bank account becoming our primary focus. None of these things are sin in themselves, but Satan knows what tempts us and how to gradually pull us away from God.

Staying Close to Christ

So how do we resist Satan’s influence and live victoriously? The key is not to be afraid of this world or to completely withdraw from it. Instead, we need to cling to Christ and grow closer to Him. We do this by being in His Word, studying who He is, and abiding in Him daily.

I’m reminded of when I used to play the alto saxophone (and yes, it’s a bit embarrassing to admit that). My teacher taught me a technique called overtones, which was incredibly difficult to master on my own. But when he played alongside me, it became much easier to match the correct note. In the same way, it’s much easier to live for Christ when we’re close to Him, allowing His perfect example to guide us.

God’s Ultimate Control

While Satan may have temporary power in this world, we must remember that God is always in control. We see this clearly in the book of Job. In Job 1:6-12, God allows Satan to test Job, but sets clear boundaries. Even in our most difficult trials, God is still sovereign.

More importantly, we know that God will be eternally victorious over Satan. Revelation 12:10-11 declares:

“Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

Life Application: Clinging to Christ in a Fallen World

So how do we apply these truths to our daily lives? Here are some practical steps:

1. Stay grounded in God’s Word: Regularly read and study the Bible to understand God’s truth and recognize Satan’s lies.
2. Pray continually: Maintain an ongoing conversation with God, seeking His guidance and strength.
3. Be aware but not afraid: Recognize Satan’s influence in the world, but don’t let it paralyze you with fear.
4. Focus on eternal things: Don’t let the temporary pleasures of this world distract you from your relationship with Christ.
5. Support fellow believers: Pray for and encourage other Christians who may be struggling with temptation or doubt.

Remember, we don’t have to fear Satan or this world. But we do need to take them seriously and, most importantly, cling to Christ. He is our Savior not just for eternity or our past, but for each day and each moment. As we close, let’s rejoice in the victory we have in Jesus, knowing that any triumph we experience – past, present, or future – is because of His power. Stay close to Him, and let His strength be your guide in this fallen world.