Satan, the Ultimate Loser
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour
(1 Peter 5:8 NIV)
When your opponent is the omniscient, omnipotent, all powerful God of the universe, it stands to reason you have no chance of winning. In spite of the fact that Satan has read the Bible and knows the final outcome, (he loses), he still tries to cause as much havoc and mayhem as he can in the time left to him. But because God uses everything for ultimate good, Satan’s well-laid plans always end up backfiring on him every time.
The Bible is packed with stories of Satan’s misfortunes and God’s triumphs. The book of Acts alone lists a myriad of events where Satan thought he had done great work and instead the opposite occurred. His attempts to wipe out the fledgling Christian church failed every time.
Paul and Barnabas had a fall out over John Mark. John Mark had given up and gone home during a previous journey, so Paul did not want him to accompany them on their current travels. Barnabas, aptly named “the son of encouragement” wanted to give John Mark a second chance. Paul refused and they went their separate ways. Score for Satan or so he thought.
“Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work” (Acts 15:37-38 NIV).
Paul then teamed up with Silas, and Barnabas teamed up with John Mark, which resulted in not one, but two missionary teams. The split instead of halving the output, doubled it. And John Mark went on to become a powerhouse for God – his name is on one of the four Gospels. And Paul did finally come round to Barnabas’ opinion regarding John Mark.
The persecution of the church in Jerusalem resulted in the scattering of the church throughout Judea and Samaria, which resulted in them evangelizing the very places Christ had told them they would be His witnesses.
“On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1 NIV).
“But you shall receive power when the holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria …” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).
Warren Wiersbe sums it up, “Persecution does to the church, what wind does to seed. It scatters it and only produces a greater harvest.”
The persecution, beating, and jailing of Paul and Silas resulted in the jailer and his family being converted.
“He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized” (Acts 16:30-33 NIV).
But the greatest setback for Satan came at a tomb. He thought he had finally won the game. On the bleak hill of Golgotha, the Son of God hung crucified on a cross. Satan and his demonic horde were celebrating.
But then, on the third day, the foundations of his kingdom began to shake violently, the walls began to crack, the demons ran for their lives, and Satan stood in horror as the stone rolled away! Brilliant light poured out and the triumphant Son of God emerged. It was checkmate. God the Master Champion!
If Satan has caused havoc in your life, always remember, God will use it for good. Satan can never win!
