Information Related to "Satan's Role in Human Suffering"
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Satan's
Role in Human Suffering
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Belief
in Satan the devil as a literal being is not fashionable in many circles. Even
in the United States, where belief in the devil is common, polls have shown
that most Americans do not believe in Satan as a literal, living entity. Many
conceive of the devil as merely symbolic of man's inhumanity to man or the embodiment
of evil in general.
The Bible, however, presents Satan as a real being-a spirit presence possessing
great power to do harm. Because so many reject the existence of an actual devil,
he is an unrecognized cause of much suffering. Whether we realize it or not,
his deception of humanity is the major cause of anguish and grief.
The extent of Satan's influence and power is clearly revealed in the Bible.
Revelation 12:9 tells us he "deceives the whole world." John
writes elsewhere that "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked
one" (1John 5:19). When Paul proclaims that "the god of this age"
has blinded the minds of many so that they do not believe the gospel (2Corinthians 4:4), he refers to the devil.
Peter warns Christians that their "adversary the devil walks about like
a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1Peter 5:8). In the parable
of the sower and the seed, Jesus tells us that as soon as many people hear God's
Word explained to them "Satan comes immediately and takes away the word
that was sown in their hearts" (Mark 4:15). This wicked being wants mankind
blinded to the comfort, encouragement and deliverance of God's truth.
Through the spiritual blindness and ignorance Satan has foisted off on the world,
he is the instigator of incalculable suffering. He has blinded humanity to the
reason for our existence. He has deceived humans into believing that his way-the
way of selfishness and sin-is better than obedience to God's commands. Regrettably,
humanity has fallen prey to Satan's ploys, not realizing the ultimate grief
that sin brings.
Throughout history the devil has succeeded in tempting people to indulge in
an unlawful and immoral exercise of their physical appetites. He employed this
strategy in the Garden of Eden, and his game has worked marvelously ever since.
Everyone has suffered because of it.
Jesus described the devil as "a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44). Satan's intent has always been to make human life miserable and ultimately
destroy us. His very nature is destructive, and those who commit destructive
acts unwittingly follow him. Revelation 9:11 labels Satan as "the angel
of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has
the name Apollyon." These two names mean "destruction"
and "destroyer," respectively. In contrast to God, who is the
creator, sustainer and giver of life, Satan is the ultimate destroyer and murderer.
Satan is the agitator of war and other conflicts. The book of Revelation depicts
demonic spirits at the end of the age that "go out to the kings of the
earth" to "gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty"
(Revelation 16:14). Satan and his demons will instigate a time of distress that
will be more terrible than any devastation human beings have ever experienced
(Matthew 24:21-22).
We can see from these passages that Satan exerts a pervasive power over mankind.
God, however, sets limits on Satan's power (Job 1:12; 2:6). God will not allow
Satan to thwart His master plan for the salvation of humanity. As our Father
and "Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25), God will never relinquish
His ultimate control over mankind and the rest of His creation.
© 2001 United Church of God, an International Association
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