An interesting character of the Bible is “Satan”. We call him ‘shaitan’ in Hindi language. All mischiefs, bad situations, worries and temptations, are supposed to be the results of craftiness of satan. Bible records his presence for the first time in the garden of Eden. Book of Genesis 3:1 records ‘the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord had made”.

Note the words “subtle” and “crafty”.

That’s the true nature of Satan.

Invariably we hear people complain how satan entered and destroyed their lives. It is true to an extent. Though satan is not to be blamed all the time. We are also responsible for our miseries, because of our conscious foolish actions. But Satan somehow manages to enter our lives too, (especially, knowing our weaknesses), in most cases ‘with our permissions’ (when we feel it’s ok to have a bit of fun while we last on earth. That’s when he takes a quiet entry in our lives, subtly he makes progress with ‘just a little more’. And before we know it, it’s a bit too late.

Now who exactly is Satan? He is actually a ‘fallen angle’, who thought he is good enough like God.

Before God created man, He created many wonderful things, and among them were angels (spirit beings), whose purpose is to fulfil God’s will. Angels worship God and serve Him continually (Rev 5:11-14).

Lucifer, one of great leading angels, rebelled against God and plan of God. Book of Isaiah records, how wonderfully he used to sing praises of God in God’s court. He pleased God with praises, until he thought he was ‘equally good’. Lucifer wanted to be above God and His throne. God had to cast Him out of heaven and cast him to earth.

When you are in the presence of God, you are filled with God’s glory, since you are all the time basking in worship and His love. But when you are cast away from God, naturally you lose that ‘divine touch and glory, which means you lose the beauty and His light too and get filled with darkness, since your wisdom is no more guided by God’s wisdom”. It happened with Lucifer and to all those angels too who fell along with Lucifer. They became evil spirits, who act exactly opposite to God’s commands. Now they found themselves in a new world ( a dark wicked world), and their intentions remained the same. Only now they started concentrating on man( God’s supreme creation, as their target. to oppose God’s plans). Pride, lust, hatred, greed and immorality are some of the temptations (weapons) evil spirits use ( which leads to all unlawful wicked things of the world, humans fall prey to) to attack mankind with. Basically he intends to unlawfully take God’s throne.

Isaiah (14:12-14) records. “how you have fallen from heaven o morning star(Lucifer), son of dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nation! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven, I will raise my own throne above the stars of God, I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly. On the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High”

The world is ruled by Satan. Entire world is filled with violence, cruelty, wrong ways and means. All are hurt and in return hurting each other. All because of Satan, and satanic weapons. Satan has been succeeding so far. He will keep succeeding, till humans realise, “God still and forever will be the King of this entire Universe. If He created the heaven and the earth, all the angels in it and everything else, isn’t He the most powerful being? So even if Satan is throwing his darts at us, Isn’t Our God the Father, most powerful to destroy His darts and all temptations he tries to tempt us with, by fraction of a second?

Trick is “if we allow God” .

Pruning is one thing no one appreciates. Hence when God starts pruning and prodding areas of our lives. we complain and rebel. And we easily fall prey to satanic weapons.

We would do much better, if we allow God to reign in our lives, allow Him to correct us when we are weak in our flesh and stay calm while God prunes. Our focus should be God, and not our fears. The way in the book of Ezra(3:3), Israelites simply focused on God and not on oppositions or any distractions, we should do same. Because by focussing on ‘fears’, you are giving undeserving importance to Satan, since distractions are from satan. So everytime satan reminds you how big your troubles are and how you are just not going to make it, remind him…your God is much bigger than him and your troubles. When you remember this truth, you never will have to go through a long journey of trauma. Because God is going to be there as your umbrella, who will make it all easy for you , seeing the earnestness and sincerity of your heart. Your trust in God will make God understand how much you love Him and trust Him to carry you through. And not only will He carry you through, rather make your journey beautiful and educative for you to learn and reach your destination as a victor and an extremely successful one, that many will learn and be encouraged through your personal journey of His love and grace.

Honestly, I am sincerely waiting for the day, when God’s people will realise and recognise the potential seed they have, hidden somewhere deep down in their conscience, that their heavenly God is all permeating fragrance we require in our lives. And also wake up to the reality, of “power of prayer of an ernest heart”.
Blessings!