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Answer
Satan’s assaults against us manifest in various ways. 1) He exploits the ungodly world “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.”, (over which he has control, 1 John 5:19), to provoke fleshly desires within us, tempting us to sin. 2) He employs the unbelieving world to try to deceive us with worldly “wisdom” that contradicts God’s truth. 3) He utilizes false Christians to lead us astray with a distorted gospel centered on a counterfeit Jesus. 4) At times, he afflicts us or our loved ones with sickness, crime, tragedy, or persecution. Understanding that God is the supreme Ruler of the universe, we naturally question why God permits Satan to assail us in these manners.
The Bible instructs that God grants Satan a certain degree of freedom (see Job 1:12), yet this freedom is always restricted. Satan is not able to carry out all his desires. Satan opts to target God’s children “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.”, (refer to 1 Peter 5:8), and his intentions are always malevolent; Satan is a murderer “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”, (John 8:44). Conversely, God’s purpose in permitting certain satanic attacks is always benevolent; God loves His children “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”, (1John 4:16). Joseph encountered numerous satanic assaults throughout his life, yet ultimately, he could confidently acknowledge two conflicting intentions behind the same circumstances: “You meant to harm me, but God meant it for good” «But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. », (Genesis 50:20).
We cannot hold God accountable for Satan’s actions. Our susceptibility to satanic attacks originated from Adam’s decision to heed Satan’s deceitful suggestions in the garden of Eden. When Satan assailed Job through the loss of his family, wealth, and health, Job did not accuse God. Note Job 1:21–22, “And he (Job) said: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.”
As believers face Satan’s assaults, they can rely on the truth of Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God…” Therefore, the expectation is that we will encounter both “good” and “bad” situations, but “all” of these circumstances can be orchestrated to lead to “good” outcomes as God orchestrates them. Hence, even Satan’s attacks, though malevolent, can and will yield a “good” outcome in the end, as God employs them to mold us into the likeness of Christ, His Son see Romans 8:29. Attacks from Satan, alongside all other trials, can prompt believers to deepen their love for God, resist Satan, cultivate patience, and fortify their faith in various ways. Let us praise God for His sovereign protection. Let us thank Him for His design to ensure that everything—even Satan’s attacks—will “work together for good” for you!
