The Enemy Of God

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11

A wealthy and godly farmer in the Middle East loses his home, his crops and livestock, his children, and his health. An Old Testament prophet prays to God for three weeks without hearing an answer to his prayers. A New Testament apostle suffers for years with a certain malady and finds no relief. These three individuals, though separated by time, were united by the common source of their problems: Satan.

In the cases of Job, Daniel, and Paul, Satan was allowed by God to enter their lives and bring pain, doubt, and discomfort. It is important for Christians to recognize that Satan is not an invention of Hollywood—he is a real being, intent on opposing God and His people at every turn.

But the Bible also clearly teaches that Satan is a troubler on a leash. He can go only as far as God allows and accomplish only that which fits and suits God’s plans and purposes. While Paul explains in detail the spiritual armor of the believer against Satan’s attacks, James summarizes it in just a single sentence: “Submit to God” (4:7).

The conscious choice to be under Christ’s lordship is the surest defense against the devil’s attacks.