"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down." Rev. 12:10
In the last post, we discussed the book of Job as a good backdrop for understanding the topic of spiritual warfare. Job is perhaps the oldest OT book, and it reveals a worldview that acknowledges and affirms the reality of a diverse spiritual universe. In particular, we discussed Satan's ability to come before the throne of God as a tempter from both Job 1 and other OT passages. These observations illustrate that the concept of dualism- that there are eternal forces of good and evil fighting in the universe with the outcome unclear- is utterly false. There is only one True God.
Today we pick up another key concept concerning the evil one and spiritual warfare that can be drawn from Job 1. In particular, we see Satan's role as an accuser of believers.
God draws Satan's attention to Job and praises Job. To this Satan replies, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Hast Thou not made a hedge about him, and his house and all that he has, on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Thy hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse Thee to Thy face." (Job 1: 9-11)
Satan's first, favorite, and primary method of attack is to accuse. "Job is only faithful because he is blessed. Take it away, and he will be like every other man!" This trait is one of the names of Satan. He is the accuser of the brethren.
As we see in the passage that begins this blog, Christ's victory cast Satan out of heaven. I am honestly not clear if this was his victory while still on earth (Luke 10: 18) or at the end of time. I am inclined to think that Satan no longer is before the throne of God, but is now relegated to earth until Christ comes to finish the judgment of Satan at the end of time. We do know that now Satan is at war against those who obey God's commandments and who hold to their testimony of Jesus (Rev. 12:17). One thing I do believe is that Satan's nature has not changed. He is still the accuser!
Now back to Job, for an unknown reason, God then allows Satan to take away Job's earthly blessings. Job loses his riches and his children in several great tragedies. Yet through it all, he does not curse God. How could this be?
In the next chapter, the accuser claims that the only reason Job did not curse God was because he was still healthy. "However, put forth Thy hand, now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse Thee to Thy face." (2: 5) God also allows this request with one limitation, "Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life." (2:6) Job is then struck with boils from head to toe so he is in great pain. Still through it all, he does not curse God.
From this passage in Job we learn several important facts. First, Satan is the accuser. This is his nature, and it is what he does. Second, his power is completely limited by God. God may allow Satan to work and to bring harm, but Satan is not free to do as he wishes. God is God and there is no other. Satan and his attacks are subject to God's power.
So what does this mean for today? Satan's primary method of attack is to accuse us. Have you ever been engaged in some form of ministry, and then you wake up one day with a feeling that you just do not have what it takes? You feel convinced at an emotional level that you are a failure. I have seen people engaged in active ministry almost physically shrivel through doubt and fear concerning their weakness. It might be because they "did not have a good day" the day before, but it also might be for no real reason at all. I am convinced that most of the time these thoughts are the accusation of the evil one! We need to claim not our own competency, but the great competency and victory of Christ. We need to be grounded in the gospel.
As Paul tells us in Romans 8:33-34, "Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised to life, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us." When we believe the gospel, Jesus transforms us into an adopted child of God. From that moment, we are completely justified, throughly loved, and empowered and in dwelt by the Holy Spirit. When we feel accusation of our failings, we need to repent of our real sin of unbelief that often lead us to a variety of sinful actions. We also must by faith reject the accusations about our incompetence as a lie of the evil one!
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 Our method of resisting is to claim and live in the full and complete victory of Christ. He is our savior, and He has won the victory!
In ministry, I often combat these self-accusations with Paul's claim in 2 Cor. 3:5 and 4:7. 2 Cor. 3:5 states, "Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy if from God." 4:7 claims, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves."
I know that I often do not say what I should say. I often struggle with my lack of clarity and my lack of love for others. I am an earthen pot, slightly cracked, and in need of abundant grace. Yet, God works through me. His awesome power courses through my frail words. Why? Because He is gracious. If He can work through me, He can work through anyone! In need to believe the gospel, resist the devil, and he will flee.
I will end this post with a word of admonition. I believe that many sincere believers have bought into the accusations of the evil one. They have gotten out of fruitful ministries, and they do not listen to the Lord's leading because they fear their own weakness. Lord willing, tomorrow we will talk about fear. Today, I challenge you to reject the accusations of the evil one and believe the gospel. God works through cracked pots like you and I! He loves us in Christ with an unending love!
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