The limit of Satan’s power is clearly seen in Job 1 for Satan can only do what God permits. He does not possess unlimited power.

Satan’s power is great when compared to humans, as is the power of the Archangel Michael or Gabriel. However, that power is severely limited, as it must submit to the ultimate power of Almighty God.

Only God

Only God is all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere present – omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. A concept the human mind has difficulty comprehending for we are far below the angels, although created in the image of God, Exodus 3:14. 

Satan is a created being and does not have the attributes of God. He can only use his demonic army of demons to try to appear as if he is everywhere present.

However, we all know attacks from Satan are very personal and often life threatening. We are in a war zone that is a spiritual battle and even creation groans to be released from the curse of sin, Romans 8:22-24. It is vital we understand our position in Christ and what Satan designs for our destruction, God will use for our good, Genesis 50:19-21.

Adversary

Satan’s name means adversary. He was once the most beautiful angel in all of heaven, Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28.

Angels have a free will, just as we have a free will. Lucifer, who was a heavenly worship leader, allowed pride to enter in and claimed he could be greater than God.

There was only one possible outcome to that. Lucifer was cast from heaven, Luke 10:18, into the second heaven to become the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2. There he has a throne, representing his limited authority, Revelation 2:13. From there he opposes everything and anything that is God’s creation and in particular the true followers of Christ, the Bride. Note Israel is the wife of God, Isaiah 54:5-8.

Ruler of this World

Satan rules over the demonic hordes which, like the angels, have ranks. Some are strong men over areas, Mark 3:27-29. Others are powers and principalities, Ephesians 6:12.

Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the powers. Against the world forces of this darkness. Against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places, Ephesians 6:12. Hid in Christ we have nothing to fear for like the boundary set for the sea, Proverbs 8:29, so God has firm boundaries for Satan.

Satan Knows His End

Satan can read the bible the same as we can. He knows it and fears it. He will do everything in his power to prevent God’s word being fulfilled, but his end is securely prophesied. All he can do is take as many as possible with him into the eternal Lake of Fire Revelation 20.

For four thousand years, from Adam to the end of Old Testament time, Satan roamed around pretending he had the victory. However, in all that time, he kept searching for the Messiah God had promised at the fall of mankind, Genesis 3:15.

He killed millions of children in an attempt to get the Messiah. Finally, he put the Messiah on a cruel wooden cross and had the biggest party in the universe. How wrong he was. Calvary was God’s greatest victory of all, for Satan and death were thoroughly defeated. A defeat that was planned from before the foundation of the world, Revelation 13:8. Satan is nothing more than a toothless lion roaming around searching for whom he can devour, 1 Peter 5:8.

Limited Powers

Satan has limited powers for he cannot be everywhere at the same time. He does not know everything, cannot see into the future and cannot read our minds. He can make an appearance when he wants to, Matthew 4:1-11, but that is all. He sends his multitude of minions to do his dirty work for him.

Satan is a keen observer and reads what people do. A modern example of that is Google which cannot read our minds. The computer operates through algorithms as finite sequences of mathematically rigorous instructions. Google searches the algorithms of every word we use to make a search. It then uses that knowledge to allow advertisers to bombard us with relevant adverts.

Satan operates on the same principle. Our actions and words disclose who and what we are. It is easy to set traps for us to fall into. However, resist the devil and he will flee from you, James 4:7.

Powerful Tools

Christians have many ‘tools’ in their arsenal the most powerful being the name of Jesus Christ, John 16:23, who mediates on our behalf, Romans 8:34. A name that even the demons must obey, Luke 10:17. The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us with groans too deep to utter, Romans 8:26,27.

We are hid in Christ Jesus and are the righteousness of God in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:21. Nothing comes to us that has not first passed through the hand of God. The  Word of God and His promises are another of our powerful tools, just as Jesus used it when Satan tempted Him, Matthew 4:1-11.

It is unbelievable to the human mindset how Satan actually has a purpose in God’s holy and just economy. It is through Satan’s machinations that the children of God have the opportunity to be overcomers for God does not leave His children powerless.

Fiery Trials

God never overrides our free will, which is a free gift from Him. It is through that free will that we choose to worship Him. Yet, it takes fiery trials to make us come face to face with our own mortality.

 The walk of the believer of Christ is never a walk in the park, for fiery trials are part of God’s plan to reveal what is in our heart. They are designed to draw us out from the ways of the world and make us realize and value our total dependence on God. And all things work together for our good, Romans 8:28.

When we accept fiery trials as part of God’s plan for us we enter into a deeper and richer relationship with Him. He only desires the very best for us, but we are stubborn and self-centred as a natural man. Any trial that can bring us to the place of de-throning self, is a gift straight from heaven and designed to cause us to move into that deeper relationship with the great I Am that I am, Exodus 3:14.

The Limit of Satan’s Power

Christ is the ultimate authority, Matthew 28:18, and Satan knows there is a limit to his power. All Satan has is counterfeit and deception, for his is a liar and a thief, John 10:10.

Christ gives authority to those who believe in Him. I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you, Luke 10:19. It is up to us whether or not we operate in that authority.

Jesus Christ has raised us up together and made us to sit together in the heavenly places in Him, Ephesians 2:6. Satan only has power in our life if we give it to him, for he is totally limited by God in all that he does. Our citizenship is in heaven, Philippians 3:20,21, and we are Christ’s ambassadors here on earth, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. Walk fully in that authority.

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Dr. Wendy Stenberg-Tendys is a servant of the Lord who enjoys researching Biblical topics and sharing words of encouragement from the Word of God. She asks the hard questions.

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