the basic message #E27
Luke 22:31-32
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
I really like this passage, because it has several key points. First, Jesus tells Simon that Satan has asked for permission to test Simon. Do we realize that Satan is simply a dog on a leash being held by God? Secondly, consider that Jesus prayed for Simon. Maybe we think Jesus simply waves a magic wand over his people to protect them. No, he prayed, just like we do. Actually, I have that backwards. We pray like he did. Thirdly, Jesus is so sure that his prayer will be answered, he instructs Simon to strengthen his brothers after Simon has turned back.
Do we fully understand the limitations Satan must work under? He can’t read our mind. He can’t kill us. He can’t make us do anything we don’t want to do. So how is he so successful?
Job 1:8
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
Do you think God ever talks to Satan about you? Would God say, “Have you considered my servant Frank?”, or “Have you considered my servant Susan?” I would be honored if God ever considered me a good enough servant to present me to Satan, but I would also tremble with fear thinking of the tests that Satan could put me through. I have a little different view of Satan than most folks. I think his work ethic is wonderful. I think his dedication to his job is unparalleled by anyone other than God. Once Satan makes up his mind to do something, he is virtually unstoppable.
How does Satan bring us down? Good record-keeping. Yes, good record-keeping. I heard a pastor explain it like this: “Satan dangles things in front of you to see what your reaction will be. If you don’t react, he tries something else. Sooner or later he will find that one special thing that gets your attention.” I agree. Here’s an example of how Satan might create a profile on a typical man: 1st Test- have a beautiful woman flirt with him. No reaction. 2nd Test- give him the opportunity to make plenty of money, but not honestly. No reaction. 3rd Test- give him a job in which he will have power and a position of importance. Boing!!! That did it! The rest is quite easy for Satan. He’ll set the stage for the man to have all sorts of opportunities to move up quickly in his job and social setting. Ego is a dangerous thing, and Satan knows how to manipulate this characteristic to quickly destroy the man and his family.
What tests does Satan have recorded on the page with your name on it? Is it money? Romance? Alcohol or drugs? Power? Prestige? Material things? Maybe Satan will use your family to destroy you. How could that be possible? Remember that anything that becomes more important to you than God can and will destroy you.