Torch, Summer 1990

their service, 55 entices them to pride, 56 incites persecution against them, 57 and seeks to sabotage them by beguiling their leaders to sin. 58 His devious work is concisely illus– trated in Genesis 3 at His Debut In Satan's insidious visit in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), we find a microcosm of his methodology. First he timed his approach to isolate Eve from her spiritual protection (Adam). Today, he works hard to keep people away from church and to separate believers from each other. Then Satan spoke in such a way as to deper– sonalize God (he omitted "Lord," God's used in conjunction with His relationship to His people). After that he attempted to create doubt of God 's Word ("Yea, hath God said... ?"). His next step was to distort God ' s Word ("Ye shall not eat of every tree..."). Then he spoke in such a way as to emphasize the negative. Next he endeavored to deny the truthful– ness of God's Word ("Ye shall not surely die"). Finally he worked to create an adverse image of God as selfish and jealous ("God doth know ... ye shall be as gods"). Eve responded to his crafty tempta– tion, and the horrid consequences are universal and pervasive. This sketch of Satan ' s character and operation would be terribly dishearten– ing to a Christian if it were not for the Bible 's clear proclamation of His Defeat The ultimate defeat of Satan was announced in the Garden of Eden 59 and was accomplished on the cross. 60 His doom is prophesied and certain. 61 God 's people are assured of victory over him. 62 While his power and subtlety are not to be trifled with, 63 believers must not have a cowering or defeatist attitude about him, for God has provided all they need for victory over his wiles. Christians must carefully navigate between the triple errors of depreciating his threat, 64 of becoming preoccupied with his work 65 (someone warned, "you may let the wolf into your house by opening the door to see if he is outside"), or of thinking that his power is irresist– ible.66 God has given us many resources for our protection against and victory over Satan and all his hosts. Salvation breaks his controlling power in the life of a believer. 67 Christ' s blood, 68 advocacy, 69 and intercession 70 are invincible walls against the devil's assaults. The indwelling Holy Spirit is superior to Satan's might. 71 God ' s provision of armor guards against his every attack. 72 He may be successfully resisted and caused to flee by the surrendered believer. 73 His temptations may be overcome by the power of the Word of God 74 and the support of prayer. 75 By awareness of his strategies, we may avoid giving the devil an advantage or foothold in our lives and churches. 76 All of Satan's power and works are inferior to the greater authority and strength of God. 77 He cannot harm God ' s child in any way without the specific permission and limitation by God. 78 He cannot separate the believer from God 's love. 79 All authority in heaven and earth belongs to Jesus Christ Who has promised to be with every believer to the end of the age. 80 Even Satan himself will be required to bow his knee and confess Christ's Lord– ship.81 Our enemy Satan is a highly formi– dable foe who must be feared and respected. However, he is not unbeat– able! We must not become obsessed with his strength and subtlety. The child of God is absolutely assured of victory over him as he utilizes the omnipotent resources God has made available to him. Satan is on a rope of divinely con– trolled limitation. We must not voluntar– ily nor foolishly allow ourselves to wander within reach of his tether. Rather we must stand on the sure promise of God, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1Corinthians10:13). 'Jude 9 ' Ezekiel 28:15 ' Ephesians 2:2 ' John 13:27 'Genesis 3:1 ff ' Ezekiel 28:14 'Ezekiel 28:15 ' Revelation 12:9 ' Isaiah 14:14 10 Revelation 12:4 " Isaiah 14:15 " Job 1:6 " Job 1:7; 1 Peter 5:8 " Ephesians 2:2; 6:12 " Matthew 12:26 " Matthew 25:41 "Ephesians 6:12 "Mark5:2-4 " Acts 16:16 20 2 Corinthians 11:14,15; 1 John 4:1ff 21 1 Timothy 4:1 ; 1 Corinthians 10:20 " Mark 5·2 13 " Matthew'4:24; 9:32; 12:22 24 1 Thessalonians 2:18 " Matthew 13:19 " Revelation 16:14 27 2 Corinthians 4:4 " Daniel 10·13· Revelation 1'6:12-14 " Daniel 10:13,20,21 30 Luke 4·5 6 " Revelation 13:2 "John 8:44; 1John3:10 " Ephesians 2:2 " John 13:2; Acts 5:3 35 2 Corinthians 4:4 " Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:13 " Job 1:9-11; Zechariah 3:1,2; Revelation 12:10 " Acts 13:8-10 39 1 Timothy5:13-15 • 0 Matthew 13:19; Luke 8:12 41 2 Corinthians 4:4 " Acts 13·8 10 43 1 Thessalonians 2:18 44 1 Timothy 4:1 ; 1 John 4:1-3 45 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:2-4,13- 15·16·14 " Matthew 7:22,23 47 1 Thessalonians 3:5 " Matthew 16:22,23 49 2 Corinthians 11 :3 50 James3:14,16 51 2 Corinthians 2:10,11 " Job 2:7, 2 Corinthians 12:7 53 1 Corinthians 7:5 54 1 Timothy 5:11-15 55 1Thessalonians2:18 56 1 Timothy 3:6 " Revelation 2:10 58 1 Chronicles 21 :1 " Genesis 3:15 60 John 12:31 ,32; 16:11 ; Hebrews 2:14,15 " Revelation 20:10 " Romans 16:20 63 1 Peter 5:8; Jude 9 " 1 Peter 5:8; 2 2 Corinthians 2:11 " Romans 16:19; Revelation 2:24; Deuteronomy 12:30 " James 4:7 " Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:13 " Revelation 12:11 69 1 John 2·1 2 70 Luke 22:31' ,32; John 17:15; Hebrews 7:25 71 1 John 4:4 " Ephesians 6:11-18 " James 4:7 " Matthew 4:4-11 ; 1 John 2:14 " Matthew 6:13; 26:41 ; Erihesians 6 18 76 2 Corinthians 2 10,11 Ephesians 4:26,27 " Job 1:12 " Job 2:6 " Romans 8:38,39 • 0 Matthew 28:18-20 " Philippians 2:9-11 William Rudd is senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Muskegon, Michigan. Currently on the GARBC Council of 18, he has two weekly radio broadcasts and is a frequent speaker at retreats , conferences, and colleges, as well as the author of numerous articles for publication. He is a graduate of Bob Jones University and Grace Theological Seminary.