Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” Job 1: 6-7
Satan is not equal to God in power or sovereignty; instead Satan is subject to God and cannot act without God’s permission. Just as we have to give an account to God, so does Satan. This is why we can stand on the promises of God and know that God is ultimately in control. However, we also need to understand that Satan is our enemy who seeks to steal, destroy and kill. As Peter says in the New Testament, Satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). The good news is Satan is limited by God. Satan is not omnipresent (everywhere) like God. Satan is not omniscient (knowing everything) like God. Satan is not God. Remember Satan was an angel that was thrown out of heaven.
Satan is considered the prince of the earth, but let us remember that when Jesus came He took back dominion over the earth and returned it to man. Satan is now subject to us. He really has no power over us unless we give it to him. We have the authority to say “no” to Satan. Satan is a defeated foe and the accuser of brethren. We can silence him by proving his accusations of being false. Remember Satan wants nothing more than to destroy us.
We see this in the story of Job. God is not out to destroy Job, Satan wants him destroyed. Fortunately, for Job Satan cannot do anything without God’s permission.
Reflections 