The Scriptures describe Satan as being active! In Job's day, we see Satan "going to and fro in the earth, and...walking up and down it it" (Job 1:7; 2:2). Satan walking all over the earth looking for a righteous man. Peter warned, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). A lioness will creep and wait patiently for her time to strike and kill the gazelle. In hunting she is active, and has a goal in mind -- food for herself and her cubs. Notice, Satan is also described as being active as that hungry, hunting lion! Jesus said that Satan was a murderer from the beginning and the father of lies (Jno. 8:44). He is the author of lies and murder, and his actions continue to this day. Notice the terminology used in reference to Satan. Satan is not sitting somewhere on a beach relaxing, is he? We do not get the impression that Satan gets up some mornings and says, "Today, I will take the morning off." Look at this world. Satan has his hand in the TV stations, in the newspaper, in magazines, in radios. He is in our schools, our military, our government, and in our homes. No, friends, Satan does not rest! In fact, Satan seems to be working overtime!
Satan Works Overtime In Families: -- Observe the character and content of most families, and we will see Satan's work. Divorce, abuse (verbal, physical, etc.), ungodly behavior, being lax in training the children, hypocritical behavior, and many other things are present in families due to Satan's influence. Remember, as goes the home, so goes the nation. Therefore, we find Satan working overtime in the home, and especially in the homes of Christians to lure them away from God and His Will.
Satan Works Overtime In Government: -- When laws of men are enacted which encourages and sanction sin (examples, gambling, lotteries, legalized alcohol, abortion of babies on demand, homosexuality, etc.), you can rest assured that Satan has been working overtime among our government leaders! He has been working among the nations of men ever since government began. Consider the wicked kings God names in the Old Testament, both among the Jews and among the Gentiles! Then, look into the New Testament and be reminded of the sins of Herod the Great, Agrippa I and II, Caesar, etc. In studying these leaders, we find such sins as pride, lying, stealing, etc. When we look at government leaders today, we find many of them falling into the same trap! These facts all bear record to the fact that Satan has been at work in the governments of men!
Satan Works Overtime Among Individuals: -- The book of First John lets us know that men are tempted with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (2:15-17). We are told that Satan walks around as a lion looking for his next meal (1 Pet. 5:8). Satan has not stopped yet, but continues to look for the "weak," "sickly," and those who just unaware of their surroundings. When we see folks caught up in alcoholism, abusive behavior with others, lying, stealing, pornography, just being unfaithful to God, ignorant of His Word, not praying, not living as we should in Christ, etc., we are seeing the evidence of a people who are victims of Satan. Yes, Satan is working overtime!
My observation is that many Christians are lax in their attitude toward Satan and his work. For this, we can also thank Satan, for he wants folks to be unimpressed with him, and make light of his tactics. If folks think Satan is a myth, or a joke, he is happy with this, for he knows such people will not take him seriously, either (contrast Jesus' teaching: Matt. 16:26). Solomon wrote, "Fools mock at sin" (Prov. 14:9) How Satan loves those "fools"! He also wants more people to be foolish, and he works "overtime" at making sure this happens!
Conclusion: -- Can we fight against Satan? Absolutely! He is powerful, but Christ has given us the weapons and armor for fighting Satan (Eph. 6:10-17; Rom. 13:12,14; 2 Cor. 10:3-5). Now we must use them! Perhaps we forgot that we are at war with Satan. Let us awake from sleep and be busy fighting temptation, as well as living a faithful life (1 Cor. 15: 58). Look to God (not self) for strength (Phil. 4:13). Exercise your senses (Heb. 5:14). We can win!
By Jarrod Jacobs in Truth Magazine, Vol. 50, No. 12, June 15, 2006.
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