2 Corinthians 11:14-15 ESV
I don't like to talk a lot about Satan. I'd much rather talk about the Lord. But as there is much misunderstanding about him and his ministry sometimes things need to be said.
Satan is a liar. The father of lies and a distorter of the word of God. Some of his "best" distortions are concerning himself! He is not a mini-god responsible for everything that does not fit into our narrow view of God's goodness, but nor is he an insignificant rebel with no genuine authority.
Consider a courtroom scene. If a judge condemned a man without giving a defense attorney a chance to defend the accused against the charges brought against him we would, quite rightly, consider this a travesty of justice. But consider now if it was an appeal hearing. The man in the dock is already condemned but new evidence is being presented that would allow him to go free. Would this same judge be considered righteous if he acquitted the guilty man without first giving a prosecution attorney the right to bring his case to the contrary? This is how it is in the book of Job. Satan appears before God in the courtroom of heaven, requesting the right to cross-examine Job to reveal the motives of his heart and test if God's confidence in him is just.
Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10) The word "satan" means adversarial accuser. He is the one who opposes the redemptive work of grace towards us by bringing his accusations. He is a roaring lion who would try to devour us with his shouts of condemnation. But thanks be to God that we can say, like Daniel, that God sent his messenger (Jesus) and shut the mouth of the lion!
But, like most bad guys, Satan likes to find others to do his dirty work for him. He has undercover agents. The shocking thing about this verse is that is says, quite plainly, that some of those are "servants of righteousness!"
Before we look around and point the finger at others trying to discern who these ministers of Satan might be, let us consider this... Could this mean that we as servants of righteousness could at sometimes, unknowingly, unwittingly, become agents of Satan?
What?! Surely not! How could it be? I am a servant of God. I am full of the Holy Spirit. How could Satan use me?
Well, consider Peter. One moment he is declaring Jesus as the Christ by revelation from the Father himself. The next Jesus is rebuking him as though he was Satan himself!
Or consider what James says...
But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
James 3:8-10 ESV
James is right. Such things should not be. We should not be streams that pour out fresh water one minute and salt water the next. We should not be those who are ministers of God, yet at times used by Satan. It should not be... but if we do not learn to tame our tongues it can be!
Accusing my brothers and sisters in Christ is Satan's job. Not mine! It doesn't matter how wronged or hurt I may feel. If I allow myself to speak ill of a fellow servant of Christ I am doing the devil's job for him!
Consider a courtroom scene. If a judge condemned a man without giving a defense attorney a chance to defend the accused against the charges brought against him we would, quite rightly, consider this a travesty of justice. But consider now if it was an appeal hearing. The man in the dock is already condemned but new evidence is being presented that would allow him to go free. Would this same judge be considered righteous if he acquitted the guilty man without first giving a prosecution attorney the right to bring his case to the contrary? This is how it is in the book of Job. Satan appears before God in the courtroom of heaven, requesting the right to cross-examine Job to reveal the motives of his heart and test if God's confidence in him is just.
Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10) The word "satan" means adversarial accuser. He is the one who opposes the redemptive work of grace towards us by bringing his accusations. He is a roaring lion who would try to devour us with his shouts of condemnation. But thanks be to God that we can say, like Daniel, that God sent his messenger (Jesus) and shut the mouth of the lion!
But, like most bad guys, Satan likes to find others to do his dirty work for him. He has undercover agents. The shocking thing about this verse is that is says, quite plainly, that some of those are "servants of righteousness!"
Before we look around and point the finger at others trying to discern who these ministers of Satan might be, let us consider this... Could this mean that we as servants of righteousness could at sometimes, unknowingly, unwittingly, become agents of Satan?
What?! Surely not! How could it be? I am a servant of God. I am full of the Holy Spirit. How could Satan use me?
Well, consider Peter. One moment he is declaring Jesus as the Christ by revelation from the Father himself. The next Jesus is rebuking him as though he was Satan himself!
Or consider what James says...
But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
James 3:8-10 ESV
James is right. Such things should not be. We should not be streams that pour out fresh water one minute and salt water the next. We should not be those who are ministers of God, yet at times used by Satan. It should not be... but if we do not learn to tame our tongues it can be!
Accusing my brothers and sisters in Christ is Satan's job. Not mine! It doesn't matter how wronged or hurt I may feel. If I allow myself to speak ill of a fellow servant of Christ I am doing the devil's job for him!
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