Last week we saw that as many as a third of the angels followed Satan in his rebellion against God. It is these fallen angels that oppose us, and all God’s created beings, in the unseen battle. I thought it would be appropriate today, as we remember that day thousand years ago—the day that was both the darkest in human history and the source of our one and only eternal hope—to look closely at our adversary in this battle.
We know that from humanity’s earliest days, Satan has sought to corrupt, deceive, and destroy God’s creation, most importantly His crowning creation, people. In Genesis chapter three we see Satan (referred to as the serpent) and his role in the downfall of humanity.
“No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:4-6)
God had given specific commands to Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of this tree. And yet here we find Satan deceiving and luring Eve, and Adam, into their first rebellion against God. A choice from which Satan knew there was no going back. And yet God had a plan—a plan to demonstrate His great grace and love for humanity. Thousands of years later, Satan attempted to once again tempt and deceive. Only this time he chose to face off against God Himself.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry. Then the tempter approached Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Then the Devil took Him to the holy city, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”
Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to Him, “I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him. (Matthew 4:1-11)
We are told that Satan, and his fellow fallen angels, are actively involved in the battle—tempting, deceiving, accusing, and even blinding people to the truth of the Gospel. Their tools of attack have eternal consequences and we are called to be warriors in the unseen battle. Our tools are given in Ephesians chapter six—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, God’s word, and finally, prayer. We are in a war, armor up!
We know that from humanity’s earliest days, Satan has sought to corrupt, deceive, and destroy God’s creation, most importantly His crowning creation, people. In Genesis chapter three we see Satan (referred to as the serpent) and his role in the downfall of humanity.
“No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:4-6)
God had given specific commands to Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of this tree. And yet here we find Satan deceiving and luring Eve, and Adam, into their first rebellion against God. A choice from which Satan knew there was no going back. And yet God had a plan—a plan to demonstrate His great grace and love for humanity. Thousands of years later, Satan attempted to once again tempt and deceive. Only this time he chose to face off against God Himself.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry. Then the tempter approached Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Then the Devil took Him to the holy city, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”
Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to Him, “I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him. (Matthew 4:1-11)
We are told that Satan, and his fellow fallen angels, are actively involved in the battle—tempting, deceiving, accusing, and even blinding people to the truth of the Gospel. Their tools of attack have eternal consequences and we are called to be warriors in the unseen battle. Our tools are given in Ephesians chapter six—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, God’s word, and finally, prayer. We are in a war, armor up!
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