Satan: The Accuser of Christians.

"For our struggle 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

Sometimes I forget I am involved in a galactic battle or a battle for the universe; a battle between good and evil, God and Satan. One way Satan battles God is in accusing God's followers of being too sinful to be saved.

"Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him." 

But The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?" 
Then God took Joshua's dirty clothes off (which represents our sin) and put new, clean clothes on him (representing Jesus' sinless life). Zechariah 3:1.2

"For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment..." Isaiah 64:6

After Moses died, Satan appeared at the grave and argued with the archangel Michael (whom most commentators say is Christ). Satan probably argued Moses had sinned before he died and therefore should not go to heaven.

"But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” Jude 1:9

 ...for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10


Jesus said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31,32

It seems Satan had demanded God give Simon Peter to him. Peter made many mistakes; he relied on his own ideas and thought he was right. But Jesus knew Peter could learn and change and refused to hand him over to Satan. Jesus does this for all of us. He himself actually prays to the Father for us to have faith and not give up in our struggles.

I'll write more on this subject in the next blog.

The Lies Satan Puts in Our Minds.

The lies of Satan.

I have found that when things go wrong in my life I am tempted to be either angry at myself or at God.

Angry at God: Why did this have to happen? I thought you loved people. How can you let this pain go on and on. What kind of God are you?

Angry at me: I am just useless. I'm always doing the wrong thing. I don't belong. I have made so many mistakes that I feel awful about myself. Why did I do that when I want to follow Jesus? Why am I so weak? Where is my faith? I thought I was trusting in God?

I remember Joyce Meyer saying, "Ask yourself where your thoughts are coming from."

So, I ask myself. The answer is definitely not God. It could be me alone, but I don't think so. I now think a lot of depressing and sinful thoughts come from Satan.

"And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." Matthew 4:3 When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he spoke to him. Jesus came to earth to live as we must live. Satan speaks to us also.

When Eve was tempted and fell, it was through Satan speaking lies to her. Satan was the one who put the thought of betraying Jesus into Judas' heart.   "During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him..." Johns 13:2  He does the same to us.

Peter said, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

How can we be alert if we don't understand how the devil works? 
I'll write more on this subject in the next blog.