The time is now. You’re absolutely S-O-L-D out for the King. You make the decision to live for Christ… to really live for Christ. You’re on the mountain top with God, but something is brewing below. That doesn’t matter to you because you’re with God! When you climb down the mountain, and get back to your life… ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE! The lion has been let out of his cage…
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil! He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5: 8-9
The number one mission of Satan is to shipwreck our faith. He hates God. He wants us to hate Him too. By the way, Satan hates you. He hates all of us because we’re made in the image of God. Satan can’t hurt God Himself, so he hurts and tortures us – that’s how he can indirectly grieve Our Father. He’s only here to kill, steal, lie, and destroy! A lot of people focus too much on the devil. He is nothing in comparison with Jesus. God has the ultimate authority.
The Bible says Satan attacks us with “fiery” darts or arrows. These darts come in many forms – Doubt… makes us question God’s Word and His goodness, Discouragement… makes us look at our problems rather than at God, Diversion… makes the wrong things seem attractive so that we will want them more than the right things, Defeat… makes us feel like a failure so that we won’t even try, Delay… makes us put off doing something so that it never gets done. Satan tries to trick us into thinking that he can destroy our life, but he can’t! God has Satan on a leash. Satan can do nothing unless God permits it.
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
“But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22: 31
Satan wanted to crush Simon Peter and the other disciples like grains of wheat. He hoped to find only chaff and blow it away. But Jesus assured Peter that his faith, although it would falter, would not be destroyed. Peter’s faith would be renewed, and he would become a powerful leader who would give his all for the Kingdom of God. We have to learn from this! How many true and powerful leaders of God’s Kingdom are among us who got to where they are today without much friction? We all know that adversity creates perseverance, perseverance makes character, and character produces hope that will not disappoint.
One last very important thing – Satan underestimates the breadth of God’s mercy. The Bible says that before we trust in Jesus, it’s as if we are wearing filthy clothes (sins). Satan is always accusing people of their sins before God. He conveniently forgets God’s mercy and forgiveness toward those who believe in Him.