When the question of Satan being real comes up, invariably, someone will deliver a variant of this sentence: "The most powerful tool Satan has is convincing people that he doesn't exist." When we hear something over and over like that, we become numb to it, but let me say that this sentence contains a huge, huge truth.
As for why Satan does this, I recently saw a verse that explains it. It comes from Luke 10, a passage I have read many times before. Jesus sends 70 or 72 people out, in pairs, to go to towns and proclaim the Gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, etc. This is clearly a picture of you, me, and all other believers, and the particular calling that God has for us -- in Rick Warren language, your "purpose." However you want to phrase it, it's a matter of Jesus preparing His followers, giving them instructions, and giving them a mission.
Then, notice what happens when they return:
(imagine one of the 70 is a follower named “Bob.”)
Bob: Jesus, man, you won't believe what happened when I went to Little Rock!
Jesus: Really? Tell me about it.
Bob: First day there, I touched this one blind guy, and he was instantly healed! I was casting out demons left and right! People were committing themselves to following You. Lame people were walking! It was amazing! It was the coolest thing I've ever been a part of.
Jesus: Hey, Bob, that is nice, very nice. But let me tell you what I saw in the spiritual realm while you were carrying out My instructions: I saw Satan falling from heaven like lightning.
Bob: Say what? You mean to tell me that while I was seeing all this incredible stuff happen right in front of my eyes, there was something going on in the unseen realm that was even better? You're telling me that because I chose to do what You called me to do, it caused Satan's kingdom to shrink? I have that kind of authority over the Enemy?
Jesus: That's exactly what I am saying.
Disclaimer -- many of these "thought pieces" were collected before I started these webpages, just because I found them interesting or provoking. As a result, I often don't remember where they came from. I'd love to give credit where it's due, but sometimes I just don't know.
-- Cliff
