The Bible calls satan the accuser of the brethren. It aims to steal, to kill, and to destroy every true believer in Jesus and His Father, God Almighty (John 10:10). It works tirelessly to warp minds, create distance between believers and the Lord, and desires to claim that God is untrue. The devil is a liar and there is no truth in it (John 8:44). It hates human beings because they have access to God and His mercy in a way it never will again.
The devil is an expert at interfering in people's godly spiritual journey. It will do anything it can to derail the process, including exploiting a person's commitment to Jesus and His Father, where it can. Thankfully, believers are not unaware of its tricks (2 Corinthians 2:11). Plus, we have received all we need for a godly life (2 Peter 1:3). Through salvation in Jesus, God's word and the Holy Spirit, people receive protection and warning of satan's agenda (Psalm 81:8). We thus can walk in humility, honoring God's concerns and plans. God puts the enemy to shame, and we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
Think about Joseph, the son of Jacob. The devil tried to take advantage of his fear of the Lord when it sent Potiphar's wife to seduce him multiple times. Instead of sleeping with her or being disloyal to his boss, he rejected her advances. He also stressed that he couldn't sin against the Lord (Genesis 39:9). She accused him of attempted rape, and he was unjustly thrown in prison (Genesis 39:20). Yet, Joseph stayed true to God, who released him from confinement. But his freedom wasn't the only reward. God elevated him to be equal to the Pharaoh of Egypt (Genesis 44:18). He enabled him to bring his entire family to Egypt, sparing them from the effects of a deadly famine.
Then there was Daniel. He was well respected in the Persian palace, and his jealous enemies wanted him dead. They conspired to have the king create a law requiring everyone to pray to the king, something they knew Daniel's religion forbade. They understood that the only way to eliminate him was to use his faith against him. But God knew Daniel was faithful and fulfilled His promise to protect His own. Although thrown into the lion's den, an angel shut their mouths (Daniel 6:22). Daniel was released, and his enemies became lion cuisine instead. Daniel 6:28 - So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
And let's not forget Jesus Christ. He went about teaching, healing, and feeding people. He criticized the religious leaders for failing to properly serve God and the people, which led to detractors who wanted Him killed. It was His very submission to the Lord that they leveraged for evil. They even got people to falsely accuse Him (Mark 14:55-59). Neither they nor the devil behind their schemes realized that God would use His Son's obedience for something greater - becoming a lasting sacrifice for our sin. His teachings continue to transform lives thousands of years later. He was given the most powerful name and stands at the right hand of God interceding for His children.
In these cases, satan attempted to take advantage of each man's commitment to God. Nevertheless, none shifted in their stance toward God, and their dedication was rewarded. However, the story of the Man of God from Judah in 1 Kings 13 is cautionary to all. God sent a messenger from his home in the Kingdom of Judah to pronounce judgment against the evil altar standing at Bethel in the Kingdom of Israel. The Lord further instructed him not to stop to eat bread or drink water and use a different route home (1 Kings 13:9). When Israel's king tried to get the man to return with him to his palace for a meal and a gift, he refused.
However, the devil used an old prophet to convince the man to disobey God's instruction. 1 Kings 13:18-19 - The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ” (But he was lying to him.) /So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house. The man from Judah trusted the 'prophet' and sadly believed the lie. He was devoured by a lion when he finally set off for home.
Be aware that the devil seeks to harm God's people. Despite this, know that the Lord will protect His children and keep them safe. As you study God's word, submit to His Holy Spirit and become more like Jesus over time, the devil will have fewer opportunities to weaponize your desire to honor God. As you grow in faith and spiritual strength, the less you will get 'punked' by your enemy. God is faithful. Do not fear the devil or men because the Lord will always care for you. He is not unfair. He always avenges and defends His own. Just as He didn't let satan have the final say over Joseph, Daniel, or Jesus, He won't let the devil have its way with you. Obey Him and let Him help you so that the enemy scores no more points against you.
To learn more, please read:
Put God's Concerns First (God's Concerns Series 1 - Mark 8:33)
Don't Be satan's Mouthpiece (God's Concerns Series 2 - Mark 8:33)
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