Letters to My Grandchildren: Satan

My Dear Grandchildren,

I’ve already written you about one of our big problems, our sin, and how Jesus has dealt with that for us. This time I want to write to you about another of our big problems: Satan.

The Bible makes it clear that Satan really is a serious problem for us. Here’s one image the Bible uses to remind us about how evil he is.

Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 1 Peter 5.8

Here’s another Scripture that uses the imagery of a wrestling match.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6.11–12

We are all in a real battle. If we are going to fight well, we need to understand some things about this enemy of ours.

Here’s one thing. How does Satan attack us? Here are some names for him that describe what he does: the deceiver, the accuser, the tempter.

Let’s start with the deceiver. Here, think about what happened with Adam and Eve at that tree in the Garden. The deceiver starts with what seems to be an innocent question.

Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’? Genesis 3.1

It’s just a question, right? Wrong! Where does he go next after Eve answers his ‘innocent’ question?

You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3.4–5

Please notice that the deceiver says something here that is true. If they eat, they will know good and evil. That is true. But they will come to know good and evil in the wrong way. And instead of being like God, they became like Satan, cursed and under the sentence of death.

Do you see what Satan did? He used a little truth mixed in with lies. This is one way that Satan deceives. Watch for this trick.

Next, the accuser. Isn’t this what he did against Job?

Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” Job 1:9–11

Do you see what Satan is doing? He’s telling God that Job acts religious because his life is easy and pleasant. But it will become clear that Job is a phony, that he will actually curse God, if his life takes a turn for the worse. Satan is accusing Job of being a hypocrite. But as the rest of the story shows, Job was no phony, no hypocrite.

Satan has made similar false accusations against us. Have you ever thought some terrible things about yourself, things that weren’t actually true? It is likely that it was Satan who was accusing you. ‘You’re a phony, a hypocrite!’ If he is able to convince you of his lies, he will do you great damage, causing you to doubt the good that the Father has done in your life. Don’t believe his lies.

Satan is also the tempter. He tempted Jesus when He was hungry after having fasted all those days. Satan suggested that Jesus perform a miracle and make some bread to eat. But that wasn’t something that the Father wanted Him to do. Satan does the same sort of thing with us. He tries to take advantage of some weakness in us, trying to lure us to rebel against the will of the Father. And then, if we falter and sin, he piles it on by accusing us of being terrible Christians. ‘Hypocrite!’ Be ready for his temptations.

Satan is our enemy. He is sneaky and powerful, and he hates us. He wants us to suffer forever, just like he will suffer forever.

So, what are we to do when it comes to this enemy of ours? We are to do here what we are to do when it comes to the problem of our sin. We look to Jesus and believe His Gospel. He rescues us from sin. He rescues us from Satan. And one big part of His rescue has to do with the Holy Spirit.

As part of His work as our Savior, Jesus has sent the Spirit to us. And what does the Spirit do to rescue us from the schemes of Satan? One thing that He does is teach us. He teaches us about Satan, his sneakiness and his schemes. He teaches us about how Satan is the deceiver, the accuser, the tempter. He teaches us about the weapons that the Father has provided us so that we can defend ourselves, things like the Word, the Sacraments and Prayer. The Spirit teaches us the Bible.

But all the best teaching by itself will not be enough. We also need to be able to use that teaching. So, the Spirit also gives us what we need to use those weapons when we need to. As a result, we enter this battle with good weapons that we have learned how to use.

And though Satan is so very good at his schemes, we can be so very optimistic.

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4.4

You have a real enemy. But there is no need to be afraid of him. The Spirit, who is in you, is greater than Satan. And try as he might to undo you, Satan will not succeed. He cannot. The Spirit will make sure of that. He will teach you how to use the weapons that He has given to you: the Word, the Sacraments and Prayer.

And just to say a little something about one of those weapons, let me encourage you to pray. Ask the Father to give you the ability to see more and more clearly the schemes of Satan, as well as give you the ability to be well-prepared for his attacks. As you pray, the Father will bless you by His Spirit.

And here is the result.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Romans 16.20

Satan is going to lose not just some battles but the whole war. And he will lose because faithful saints follow Jesus. So, while the battles will be hard, we can be so very optimistic. By trusting Jesus and obeying His commands, we will win the war. He will lead us to victory, and Satan will trouble us no more.

That’s enough for now. Let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to writing my next letter to you.

With my love,

Grandpa B