Never Underestimate Satan

And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Job 1:8

There are so many questions asked in the book of Job. When God’s people suffer hurt and tribulation, it is not unusual at all for them to ask questions.

  • Is there some great sin of which I’m not aware that has brought this kind of a consequence? Job dealt with this one.
  • Is there some particular purpose God wants to achieve in my life as a result of this trouble?
  • What is God doing?
  • Is this the natural consequence of the curse of sin on the earth?
  • Is God aware of what I am experiencing at this time?

The question in our text comes from God and addresses Satan. “Hast thou considered my servant Job.” We should recognize that Satan has considered every true believer. God gave Job quite a compliment. Is it possible that Satan works more on those believers that are faithful to God? Is it possible that he knows that those who are not faithful will not cause others to seek after God?

Do not underestimate the power of Satan to cause havoc in your life as a believer. We are reminded in I Peter 5:8 to Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Peter pictures him like a roaring lion seeking someone who is not vigilant. The Apostle Paul warns that it is possible for Satan to get an advantage of us: especially when we are ignorant of his devices (II Corinthians 2:11).

We know that Satan is the god of this world and that He blinds the minds of those who believe not (John 12:31; 14:30; I Corinthians 10:20; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12).

He does not want Christians to have the peace of God and to be abounding in the joy of the Lord. When our lives are blessed of God, we become a stumbling block to what Satan wants to accomplish in the lives of our friends, associates, family members, church members and neighbors. Satan wants to use defeated believers to blind the minds of others from the glorious light of the Gospel.

The blessed life of a godly Christian, abounding in the joy of the Lord and the peace of God, is a stumbling block to the work of the enemy on our friends, associates, family members, church members and neighbors. He wants to use you to blind the minds of others from the glorious light of the Gospel.

Ephesians 2:2 notes that there was a day prior to our salvation when we did walk according to his direction. We must not be ignorant of what he wants to do in us and through us robbing God of His glory and us of His joy. We must put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand against the attractive, deceptive and ensnaring wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Indeed, Satan has considered you and leaving the door of your life open to him is so destructive, regardless of how attractive he makes it look up front. Do not be deceived. Stay close in your relationship with God so that Satan will not be able to destroy your Christian life. Believers who have allowed Satan to destroy their lives are full of remorse and regret at the end of their earthly existence but nothing they can do will change the past. God does not undo the consequences of our sin.

Martin Luther wrote, “Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing, were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask Who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He – Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same – and He must win the battle.

It is all right to ask the questions as long as you go to the Word of God for the answers. So many of life’s problems will vanish and the light and joy of God’s assurance will give you strength. The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).


George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.


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