Satan Is Not Sovereign

When Jesus speaks with absolute When Jesus speaks with absolute authority, the devil does what he is authority, the devil does what he is authority, the devil does what he is told. Period. told. Period. told. Period. Right? That's what it says. There aren't Right? That's what it says. There aren't Right? That's what it says. There aren't seasons when Jesus is not authoritative seasons when Jesus is not authoritative seasons when Jesus is not authoritative and seasons when he is authoritative. and seasons when he is authoritative. and seasons when he is authoritative. If it says in the Bible, Jesus commands If it says in the Bible, Jesus commands If it says in the Bible, Jesus commands the unclean spirits and they obey, they the unclean spirits and they obey, they the unclean spirits and they obey, they obey whenever he speaks that way. obey whenever he speaks that way. obey whenever he speaks that way. Have you ever noticed how often our fear Have you ever noticed how often our fear Have you ever noticed how often our fear grows when our view of Christ shrinks? grows when our view of Christ shrinks? grows when our view of Christ shrinks? The more attention we give to evil, the The more attention we give to evil, the The more attention we give to evil, the larger it can appear. But the gospels larger it can appear. But the gospels larger it can appear. But the gospels keep directing our gaze again and again keep directing our gaze again and again keep directing our gaze again and again to a savior whose authority never to a savior whose authority never to a savior whose authority never waivers [music] and whose command is waivers [music] and whose command is waivers [music] and whose command is always obeyed. I'm your host Dan always obeyed. I'm your host Dan always obeyed. I'm your host Dan Kruever. In this episode of Light and Kruever. In this episode of Light and Kruever. In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper helps us see why the Truth, John Piper helps us see why the Truth, John Piper helps us see why the devil is formidable yet never sovereign.

devil is formidable yet never sovereign. devil is formidable yet never sovereign. [music] [music] [music] Because Jesus Christ reigns over all. Because Jesus Christ reigns over all. Because Jesus Christ reigns over all. This [music] message was originally This [music] message was originally This [music] message was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on August 19th, [music] 2007. Father, I pray that you would protect us Father, I pray that you would protect us from the evil one. Jesus taught us to from the evil one. Jesus taught us to from the evil one. Jesus taught us to pray, deliver us pray, deliver us pray, deliver us from evil. from evil. from evil. There are some in this room that are There are some in this room that are There are some in this room that are servants of the devil. servants of the devil. servants of the devil. And I pray that they would be freed, And I pray that they would be freed, And I pray that they would be freed, restrained restrained restrained and freed. and freed. and freed. And I pray that you would help us to And I pray that you would help us to And I pray that you would help us to lift the shield of faith and quench the lift the shield of faith and quench the lift the shield of faith and quench the fiery darts of the evil one which fly in fiery darts of the evil one which fly in fiery darts of the evil one which fly in this room right now. And I pray that your people would be And I pray that your people would be given great courage given great courage given great courage and that though we walk through the and that though we walk through the and that though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will valley of the shadow of death, we will valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil.

fear no evil. fear no evil. I praise you, Lord Jesus, because I praise you, Lord Jesus, because I praise you, Lord Jesus, because you have triumphed over the devil you have triumphed over the devil you have triumphed over the devil and the one who is in us is greater than and the one who is in us is greater than and the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world. the one who is in the world. the one who is in the world. Help me to be faithful to your word now. Help me to be faithful to your word now. Help me to be faithful to your word now. And may your word have a saving and And may your word have a saving and And may your word have a saving and strengthening effect. I ask in Jesus strengthening effect. I ask in Jesus strengthening effect. I ask in Jesus name. Amen. name. Amen. name. Amen. So as we come to Genesis chapter 3 So as we come to Genesis chapter 3 So as we come to Genesis chapter 3 through 1 and 2, it looks as though all through 1 and 2, it looks as though all through 1 and 2, it looks as though all is well. is well. is well. Genesis 1:31, Genesis 1:31, Genesis 1:31, God saw everything that he made, and God saw everything that he made, and God saw everything that he made, and behold, it was very good. And suddenly, And suddenly, beginning of chapter 3, there is a beginning of chapter 3, there is a beginning of chapter 3, there is a serpent serpent serpent and he's evil. and he's evil. and he's evil. He's calling God's word into question.

He's calling God's word into question. He's calling God's word into question. Verse one, did God actually say, "You Verse one, did God actually say, "You Verse one, did God actually say, "You shall not eat of the tree of the garden? shall not eat of the tree of the garden? shall not eat of the tree of the garden? He's devious. He's deceitful. He's He's devious. He's deceitful. He's He's devious. He's deceitful. He's destructive." God had said in 217, destructive." God had said in 217, destructive." God had said in 217, Genesis 21:17, Genesis 21:17, Genesis 21:17, the day you eat of it, this tree, you'll the day you eat of it, this tree, you'll the day you eat of it, this tree, you'll surely die. And he says in verse four, surely die. And he says in verse four, surely die. And he says in verse four, this serpent says in verse 4, you will this serpent says in verse 4, you will this serpent says in verse 4, you will not surely die. not surely die. not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it, For God knows that when you eat of it, For God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be open, and you'll be your eyes will be open, and you'll be your eyes will be open, and you'll be like God, knowing good and evil." And so like God, knowing good and evil." And so like God, knowing good and evil." And so Jesus Jesus Jesus many years later many years later many years later says that this being is a murderer and a says that this being is a murderer and a says that this being is a murderer and a liar. liar. liar. John 8:44. He's a murderer from the John 8:44. He's a murderer from the John 8:44. He's a murderer from the beginning and has nothing to do with the beginning and has nothing to do with the beginning and has nothing to do with the truth because there's no truth in him. truth because there's no truth in him. truth because there's no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own When he lies, he speaks out of his own When he lies, he speaks out of his own character. For he is a liar and the character. For he is a liar and the character. For he is a liar and the father of lies.

father of lies. father of lies. So So So who is it? Who is it? who is it? Who is it? who is it? Who is it? What What What what what are they talking about? what what are they talking about? what what are they talking about? The verse in the Bible that gives the The verse in the Bible that gives the The verse in the Bible that gives the fullest answer is Revelation 12:9 which fullest answer is Revelation 12:9 which fullest answer is Revelation 12:9 which goes like this. The great dragon was goes like this. The great dragon was goes like this. The great dragon was thrown down. that ancient serpent who is thrown down. that ancient serpent who is thrown down. that ancient serpent who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver called the devil and Satan, the deceiver called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down of the whole world. He was thrown down of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown to the earth and his angels were thrown to the earth and his angels were thrown down with him. That's a very big full down with him. That's a very big full down with him. That's a very big full designation of who's being spoken of in designation of who's being spoken of in designation of who's being spoken of in Genesis 3, that ancient serpent. He's Genesis 3, that ancient serpent. He's Genesis 3, that ancient serpent. He's the devil. The word devil means the devil. The word devil means the devil. The word devil means slanderer and he's a Satan. The word slanderer and he's a Satan. The word slanderer and he's a Satan. The word Satan means accuser. Satan means accuser. Satan means accuser. He's the deceiver of the whole world. He's the deceiver of the whole world. He's the deceiver of the whole world. Jesus calls him the evil one. The Jesus calls him the evil one. The Jesus calls him the evil one. The Pharisees call him Beelible, Pharisees call him Beelible, Pharisees call him Beelible, the prince of demons.

the prince of demons. the prince of demons. And Paul calls him the god of this age And Paul calls him the god of this age And Paul calls him the god of this age and the prince of the power of the air. and the prince of the power of the air. and the prince of the power of the air. So that's who we meet in Genesis chapter So that's who we meet in Genesis chapter So that's who we meet in Genesis chapter 3. And he's already evil. He's already a deceiver. He's already a deceiver. He's already a murderer trying to get He's already a murderer trying to get He's already a murderer trying to get these people killed with him these people killed with him these people killed with him when he appears in the garden. when he appears in the garden. when he appears in the garden. Now, Now, Now, having swept humanity into sin, having swept humanity into sin, having swept humanity into sin, which we've been paying the price for which we've been paying the price for which we've been paying the price for ever since, ever since, ever since, God addresses the serpent in verse 15. God addresses the serpent in verse 15. God addresses the serpent in verse 15. Here's what he says. Here's what he says. Here's what he says. I will put enmity between you and the I will put enmity between you and the I will put enmity between you and the woman woman woman and between your offspring and between your offspring and between your offspring and her offspring. and her offspring. and her offspring. He will bruise your head He will bruise your head He will bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel.

and you shall bruise his heel. and you shall bruise his heel. So, at first when you're reading this So, at first when you're reading this So, at first when you're reading this verse, it looks as though the warfare is verse, it looks as though the warfare is verse, it looks as though the warfare is going to be between two offsprings. I will put enmity between your offspring I will put enmity between your offspring and her offspring. and her offspring. and her offspring. But when you read the next word, But when you read the next word, But when you read the next word, something very different emerges. something very different emerges. something very different emerges. He He He shall bruise your head. Who's he? shall bruise your head. Who's he? shall bruise your head. Who's he? Her offspring. Her offspring. Her offspring. Who's your Who's your Who's your not his offspring? Not the serpent's not his offspring? Not the serpent's not his offspring? Not the serpent's offspring. The serpent. offspring. The serpent. offspring. The serpent. [snorts] [snorts] [snorts] That's very important to see. That's very important to see. That's very important to see. There is going to be warfare between There is going to be warfare between There is going to be warfare between seed of woman, seed of serpent. It's seed of woman, seed of serpent. It's seed of woman, seed of serpent. It's been happening ever since. That's not been happening ever since. That's not been happening ever since. That's not where the decisive victory will be where the decisive victory will be where the decisive victory will be wrought. wrought. wrought. The decisive victory will be wrought The decisive victory will be wrought The decisive victory will be wrought between he offspring between he offspring between he offspring will crush your not your offspring your will crush your not your offspring your will crush your not your offspring your head. You're going to be alive in 10,000 head. You're going to be alive in 10,000 head. You're going to be alive in 10,000 years years years and you will be destroyed and you will be destroyed and you will be destroyed by her offspring.

The day is coming. God says, "When the The day is coming. God says, "When the offspring of the woman will crush your offspring of the woman will crush your offspring of the woman will crush your head, serpent, head, serpent, head, serpent, the decisive blow will be struck." And the decisive blow will be struck." And the decisive blow will be struck." And we know now, we've read it. Colossians we know now, we've read it. Colossians we know now, we've read it. Colossians chapter 2, chapter 2, chapter 2, Jesus was the perfect offspring of the Jesus was the perfect offspring of the Jesus was the perfect offspring of the woman. He's the only offspring of the woman. He's the only offspring of the woman. He's the only offspring of the woman who had the power, had the woman who had the power, had the woman who had the power, had the perfection, perfection, perfection, and had the obedience [snorts] to go to and had the obedience [snorts] to go to and had the obedience [snorts] to go to the cross where Satan was undone. So Christ Jesus died on the cross and in So Christ Jesus died on the cross and in dying on the cross dying on the cross dying on the cross destroyed destroyed destroyed the devil. Let me read these crucial the devil. Let me read these crucial the devil. Let me read these crucial verses. that we read earlier. verses. that we read earlier. verses. that we read earlier. Colossians 2:14, Colossians 2:14, Colossians 2:14, the record of debt that stood against the record of debt that stood against the record of debt that stood against us, everybody in this room has done us, everybody in this room has done us, everybody in this room has done evil.

evil. evil. There's a record in heaven of all your There's a record in heaven of all your There's a record in heaven of all your sins. sins. sins. If it is not dealt with in some way, it If it is not dealt with in some way, it If it is not dealt with in some way, it will be read at the last judgment and will be read at the last judgment and will be read at the last judgment and you will be sentenced to hell. Every one you will be sentenced to hell. Every one you will be sentenced to hell. Every one of us. of us. of us. So what happens to that bill, that list? So what happens to that bill, that list? So what happens to that bill, that list? It's a very long list. It's a very long list. It's a very long list. There are things go on it every day. There are things go on it every day. There are things go on it every day. What happened to it? And that verse What happened to it? And that verse What happened to it? And that verse says, "The record of debts that stood says, "The record of debts that stood says, "The record of debts that stood against us, Christ set aside, against us, Christ set aside, against us, Christ set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities, put them to an rulers and authorities, put them to an rulers and authorities, put them to an open shame by triumphing over them in open shame by triumphing over them in open shame by triumphing over them in him." him." him." When Christ died for our sins, here's When Christ died for our sins, here's When Christ died for our sins, here's what happened. what happened. what happened. He took out of the hand of the devil the He took out of the hand of the devil the He took out of the hand of the devil the one weapon one weapon one weapon with which he can finally destroy with which he can finally destroy with which he can finally destroy us.

us. us. There's only one weapon he has and that There's only one weapon he has and that There's only one weapon he has and that is the valid accusation that our sins is the valid accusation that our sins is the valid accusation that our sins will damn us as unforgiven so that we will damn us as unforgiven so that we will damn us as unforgiven so that we perish with him. If he can make a valid perish with him. If he can make a valid perish with him. If he can make a valid accusation before the throne and the accusation before the throne and the accusation before the throne and the judge of the universe that we sinned and judge of the universe that we sinned and judge of the universe that we sinned and deserve to be destroyed with him, he deserve to be destroyed with him, he deserve to be destroyed with him, he wins. wins. wins. And what happened at the cross? If you And what happened at the cross? If you And what happened at the cross? If you ever wonder what why ever wonder what why ever wonder what why did it take an incarnation so that there did it take an incarnation so that there did it take an incarnation so that there would be a perfect seed offspring of the would be a perfect seed offspring of the would be a perfect seed offspring of the woman? woman? woman? And why did he get the victory by dying? I mean, just kill him. He's the devil. I mean, just kill him. He's the devil. No, it wouldn't work that way because No, it wouldn't work that way because No, it wouldn't work that way because that would leave us with a bill, that would leave us with a bill, that would leave us with a bill, a record of sins in our hands with which a record of sins in our hands with which a record of sins in our hands with which the devil would just take it out of our the devil would just take it out of our the devil would just take it out of our hands, shake it in God's face, and say, hands, shake it in God's face, and say, hands, shake it in God's face, and say, "They're mine.

"They're mine. "They're mine. send them to hell with me because here's send them to hell with me because here's send them to hell with me because here's their sins. So if Jesus just cleaned their sins. So if Jesus just cleaned their sins. So if Jesus just cleaned house, house, house, we'd still have our sins. we'd still have our sins. we'd still have our sins. And so he dies. And in dying in our And so he dies. And in dying in our And so he dies. And in dying in our place, place, place, Satan loses the one weapon, unforgiven Satan loses the one weapon, unforgiven Satan loses the one weapon, unforgiven sin, with which he could damn us. sin, with which he could damn us. sin, with which he could damn us. So like I've said before, and little So like I've said before, and little So like I've said before, and little children remember it, so I'll say it children remember it, so I'll say it children remember it, so I'll say it again. All Satan can do is gum us again. All Satan can do is gum us again. All Satan can do is gum us because his fangs have been removed. but he cannot damn you with his gums. but he cannot damn you with his gums. The poison is gone. Now, here's the question. Now, here's the question. Where did he come from?

Why does God tolerate this murderous Why does God tolerate this murderous behavior still behavior still behavior still 2,000 years after the cross? In Genesis, it appears that all's well. In Genesis, it appears that all's well. It creates everything good and then you It creates everything good and then you It creates everything good and then you have evil. Something happened. have evil. Something happened. have evil. Something happened. What happened? What happened? What happened? If God didn't create evil, If God didn't create evil, If God didn't create evil, what happened? what happened? what happened? [snorts] [snorts] [snorts] There are clues. There are clues. There are clues. And I think they're only clues, but And I think they're only clues, but And I think they're only clues, but they're pretty clear. they're pretty clear. they're pretty clear. Two verses. Jude 16, 2 Peter 2:4. I'll Two verses. Jude 16, 2 Peter 2:4. I'll Two verses. Jude 16, 2 Peter 2:4. I'll read them to you. Jude verse 6. There's read them to you. Jude verse 6. There's read them to you. Jude verse 6. There's only one chapter in Jude. Jude says only one chapter in Jude. Jude says only one chapter in Jude. Jude says this, this, this, "The angels who did not stay within "The angels who did not stay within "The angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but their own position of authority, but their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept left their proper dwelling, he has kept left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness in eternal chains under gloomy darkness in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day."

until the judgment of the great day." until the judgment of the great day." angels who did not keep their position angels who did not keep their position angels who did not keep their position of authority of authority of authority but left it. but left it. but left it. Second Peter 2:4, God did not spare the Second Peter 2:4, God did not spare the Second Peter 2:4, God did not spare the angels when they sinned, angels when they sinned, angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed but cast them into hell and committed but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be them to chains of gloomy darkness to be them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment. kept until the judgment. kept until the judgment. So it appears that there were once a So it appears that there were once a So it appears that there were once a great host of holy angels, great host of holy angels, great host of holy angels, holy angels, holy angels, holy angels, and they did not stay in their own and they did not stay in their own and they did not stay in their own position of authority. They sinned. And position of authority. They sinned. And position of authority. They sinned. And that sin was a kind of insurrection. They didn't want to be subordinate. They didn't want to be subordinate. They wanted to be self-exalting They wanted to be self-exalting They wanted to be self-exalting and they thought and they thought and they thought self-governing and they were evicted and they were evicted from heaven from heaven from heaven into hell. And evidently they have some into hell. And evidently they have some into hell. And evidently they have some measure of liberty measure of liberty measure of liberty though not absolute liberty now to hurt.

[snorts] [snorts] That's not an easy question to answer. That's not an easy question to answer. That's not an easy question to answer. [snorts] [snorts] [snorts] In fact, the ultimate biblical answer, In fact, the ultimate biblical answer, In fact, the ultimate biblical answer, the ultimate final biblical answer the ultimate final biblical answer the ultimate final biblical answer raises more questions. Doesn't end raises more questions. Doesn't end raises more questions. Doesn't end questions. questions. questions. Raises questions. Raises questions. Raises questions. Seems to me that the way you approach Seems to me that the way you approach Seems to me that the way you approach such things is to acknowledge you see in such things is to acknowledge you see in such things is to acknowledge you see in a mirror dimly. Now we know in part, a mirror dimly. Now we know in part, a mirror dimly. Now we know in part, then we will know fully even as we are then we will know fully even as we are then we will know fully even as we are fully known. And we acknowledge that all fully known. And we acknowledge that all fully known. And we acknowledge that all of our questions probably will not be of our questions probably will not be of our questions probably will not be answered in this age. answered in this age. answered in this age. But we ask them anyway. But we ask them anyway. But we ask them anyway. And then we seek answers in the Bible. And then we seek answers in the Bible. And then we seek answers in the Bible. Why did they fall? Why did they sin? Why did they sin? Now, some people find help in saying Now, some people find help in saying Now, some people find help in saying that the angels had free will that the angels had free will that the angels had free will and that God therefore and that God therefore and that God therefore could not exert enough influence could not exert enough influence could not exert enough influence to hold their allegiance or keep them to hold their allegiance or keep them to hold their allegiance or keep them adoring him.

adoring him. adoring him. I do not find that a helpful answer. I do not find that a helpful answer. I do not find that a helpful answer. for several reasons. It doesn't answer for several reasons. It doesn't answer for several reasons. It doesn't answer the question why a perfectly holy angel the question why a perfectly holy angel the question why a perfectly holy angel in the presence of an infinitely holy in the presence of an infinitely holy in the presence of an infinitely holy and beautiful and attractive God would and beautiful and attractive God would and beautiful and attractive God would suddenly use his free will to hate God. suddenly use his free will to hate God. suddenly use his free will to hate God. It's no answer. To say they have free It's no answer. To say they have free It's no answer. To say they have free will is no answer. It also It also runs into some great difficulties as to runs into some great difficulties as to runs into some great difficulties as to the way the Bible describes God's the way the Bible describes God's the way the Bible describes God's relationship to the devil and to the relationship to the devil and to the relationship to the devil and to the demons. demons. demons. So, I'm not helped by that answer. So, I'm not helped by that answer. So, I'm not helped by that answer. And here's the way I go about trying to And here's the way I go about trying to And here's the way I go about trying to answer the question if it can be answer the question if it can be answer the question if it can be answered. I begin to read the whole answered. I begin to read the whole answered. I begin to read the whole Bible asking this question. Bible asking this question. Bible asking this question. What does the Bible present to us What does the Bible present to us What does the Bible present to us through the whole range of redemptive through the whole range of redemptive through the whole range of redemptive history from beginning to end as the way history from beginning to end as the way history from beginning to end as the way God relates to Satan's will?

God relates to Satan's will? God relates to Satan's will? I don't want to just speculate. I just I don't want to just speculate. I just I don't want to just speculate. I just want pictures. I want Bible verses. want pictures. I want Bible verses. want pictures. I want Bible verses. I want Bible statements about how God I want Bible statements about how God I want Bible statements about how God relates to Satan. And then maybe seeing relates to Satan. And then maybe seeing relates to Satan. And then maybe seeing enough ways that God relates to Satan, I enough ways that God relates to Satan, I enough ways that God relates to Satan, I could project back and say, well, he if could project back and say, well, he if could project back and say, well, he if he relates to him that way here, he he relates to him that way here, he he relates to him that way here, he related to him that way there. That's my related to him that way there. That's my related to him that way there. That's my approach. And you can assess whether you approach. And you can assess whether you approach. And you can assess whether you think that's a wise approach. So, what I think that's a wise approach. So, what I think that's a wise approach. So, what I want to do is just give you want to do is just give you want to do is just give you glimpses of how God relates to to Satan glimpses of how God relates to to Satan glimpses of how God relates to to Satan in the Bible. Number one, in the Bible. Number one, in the Bible. Number one, Satan is called the ruler of this world Satan is called the ruler of this world Satan is called the ruler of this world in John 12:31. in John 12:31. in John 12:31. However, However, However, other texts say things like this. Daniel other texts say things like this. Daniel other texts say things like this. Daniel 4:17, "The Most High is the ruler over 4:17, "The Most High is the ruler over 4:17, "The Most High is the ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on the realm of mankind and bestows it on the realm of mankind and bestows it on whom he wishes." Or Psalm 33:10, whom he wishes." Or Psalm 33:10, whom he wishes." Or Psalm 33:10, "The Lord nullifies the council of the "The Lord nullifies the council of the "The Lord nullifies the council of the nations. He frustrates the plans of the nations. He frustrates the plans of the nations. He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The council of the Lord stands peoples. The council of the Lord stands peoples. The council of the Lord stands forever. The plans of his heart from forever. The plans of his heart from forever. The plans of his heart from generation to generation generation to generation generation to generation from which I infer, yes, Satan is the from which I infer, yes, Satan is the from which I infer, yes, Satan is the god of this world and the ruler of this god of this world and the ruler of this god of this world and the ruler of this age, but not age, but not age, but not ultimately.

ultimately. ultimately. He is a lackey with a leash He is a lackey with a leash He is a lackey with a leash underneath this great God who decides underneath this great God who decides underneath this great God who decides who kings are and when they're done. who kings are and when they're done. who kings are and when they're done. Number two, Number two, Number two, though unclean spirits are everywhere in though unclean spirits are everywhere in though unclean spirits are everywhere in the world doing deceptive and murderous the world doing deceptive and murderous the world doing deceptive and murderous things, Jesus Christ is described as things, Jesus Christ is described as things, Jesus Christ is described as having all authority in heaven and on having all authority in heaven and on having all authority in heaven and on earth. And then you get an amazing earth. And then you get an amazing earth. And then you get an amazing statement like this clearly spoken as statement like this clearly spoken as statement like this clearly spoken as the truth about Jesus in Mark 1:27. the truth about Jesus in Mark 1:27. the truth about Jesus in Mark 1:27. He commands even the unclean spirits and He commands even the unclean spirits and He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him. You should think a long time about that. You should think a long time about that. When Jesus speaks with absolute When Jesus speaks with absolute When Jesus speaks with absolute authority, the devil does what he is authority, the devil does what he is authority, the devil does what he is told. Period.

told. Period. told. Period. Right? That's what it says. There aren't Right? That's what it says. There aren't Right? That's what it says. There aren't seasons when Jesus is not authoritative seasons when Jesus is not authoritative seasons when Jesus is not authoritative and seasons when he is authoritative. and seasons when he is authoritative. and seasons when he is authoritative. If it says in the Bible, Jesus commands If it says in the Bible, Jesus commands If it says in the Bible, Jesus commands the unclean spirits and they obey. They the unclean spirits and they obey. They the unclean spirits and they obey. They obey whenever he speaks that way. obey whenever he speaks that way. obey whenever he speaks that way. That's number two. Number three, That's number two. Number three, That's number two. Number three, Satan is described as a roaring lion Satan is described as a roaring lion Satan is described as a roaring lion prowling and seeking to devour people. prowling and seeking to devour people. prowling and seeking to devour people. And Peter says in 1 Peter 5'8, "Resist And Peter says in 1 Peter 5'8, "Resist And Peter says in 1 Peter 5'8, "Resist him firm in your faith, knowing that the him firm in your faith, knowing that the him firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren are being accomplished by your brethren in the whole world." In other words, the in the whole world." In other words, the in the whole world." In other words, the jaws of the lion are suffering. Resist. He's prowling around like a lion Resist. He's prowling around like a lion seeking to devour people. Resist him seeking to devour people. Resist him seeking to devour people. Resist him firm in your faith because you know that firm in your faith because you know that firm in your faith because you know that the same experience of suffering the same experience of suffering the same experience of suffering is being experienced by your brethren is being experienced by your brethren is being experienced by your brethren around the world. Therefore, the around the world. Therefore, the around the world. Therefore, the suffering of Christians in Afghanistan, suffering of Christians in Afghanistan, suffering of Christians in Afghanistan, 15 of them left, right?

There's way more. There's way more. They're just in the news. The suffering They're just in the news. The suffering They're just in the news. The suffering is the the jaws of the lion coming down is the the jaws of the lion coming down is the the jaws of the lion coming down on them. Satan's real. Satan's real. Don't mess with him. Don't mess with him. Don't mess with him. And then you read these words in the And then you read these words in the And then you read these words in the same book, 1 Peter 3:1 17. same book, 1 Peter 3:1 17. same book, 1 Peter 3:1 17. It is better if God should will it so It is better if God should will it so It is better if God should will it so that you suffer for doing what is right. If God should will, If God should will, the jaws will close the jaws will close the jaws will close and not before God will decide whether they get out. God will decide whether they get out. Not the devil ultimately. Not the devil ultimately. Not the devil ultimately. Thank you for listening to this episode Thank you for listening to this episode Thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth, where we are of Light and Truth, where we are of Light and Truth, where we are committed to providing God- centered committed to providing God- centered committed to providing God- centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure Him Truly. I'm your host, and treasure Him Truly. I'm your host, and treasure Him Truly. I'm your host, Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Piper continues our 13-part series, The Piper continues our 13-part series, The Piper continues our 13-part series, The God Who Orders Evil, with a message God Who Orders Evil, with a message God Who Orders Evil, with a message titled The Devil Has Limits. I hope titled The Devil Has Limits. I hope titled The Devil Has Limits. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, you'll join us. For more resources, you'll join us. For more resources, visit desiring.org.