Can Satan Use Believers?
“Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
~Matthew 16:23, LSB
Beg God for wisdom to discern the wiles of the Satan who catches us unaware because he can transform himself into an angel of light.
~Thomas Manton
No question about it; Manton is right on target. Satan will tempt believers but he will also lay snares. This is where he will spends his time and energy. He need not tempt the world that is walking in darkness. That would be like prodding cattle that are walking straight into the catch pen. Satan spends his time trying to trip up believers. He wants to destroy our testimony and mute our witness. He wants us off the playing field and on the bench. He wants us to become spectators. As Manton says, “There is need to pray daily, ‘Deliver us from the evil one.'” As to the question—Can Satan use a believer? The answer is yes. Obviously he was using Peter to try to discourage our LORD but Jesus saw through it, whereas Peter did not, at least not at the moment.
Understand what I am saying, we don’t get up in the morning and say or think about Satan using us. We have no intention of him using us. The problem is—he outsmarts us and decieves us. He is especailly efficient at using good things, moral things to trip us up. It is OK to love someone, to have affection for them and there is no question that Peter loved Jesus. You love your children but you do not want them to suffer. Do you understand that they must suffer in order to mature. Helicopter parents don’t mean harm, they love their children and fight their battles but when they do this, it hurts the child’s development. So they are actually doing the child harm when they think that are doing them good. Peter believed he was doing good thing. He didn’t want Jesus to suffer and he intended to stop it. So beware of Satan using good things.
Once Peter understood the truth, and I have no idea when and where it was that he understood, he most likely felt bad about being used by Satan. I am not proud of it but I have had it happen. Many years ago, I was in Limestone county for something and I stopped to help a relative who had a disability. I carried him to lunch and he pulled my chain, he brought up a very sensitive family situation and it popped my cork {which doesn’t take much} and I said some things that were unfounded. He did not keep these comments to himself and you know how that works. He went straight to the people involved and it created a firestorm. A lot of people were hurt including my mother and it was all my fault. She had relatives who never spoke to her again and it was due to my big mouth. With a broken heart over what I had done, I went to mother with a full apology. Of course she forgave me and never brought it up again. I am telling you folks, it is not a good feeling to know that Satan has used you, and it all started with good intentions, buying someone lunch.
- We got two dust settlers in cluding 0.14 yesterday. We don’t have mud but the pumpkins got some relief. June and I shelled peas last night for a couple of hours. We have picked 8 5 gallon buckets and have a couple of more in the field. Good year for peas.
- 49ers this Friday at 11:30. Next 49er meeting after this Friday is Christmas Party December 4 when we play bingo for the gift cards.
- Mens Breakfast October 10 at 8:00 am.
- Monday October 26…we are hosting the THE MORGAN BAPTIST ANNUAL MEETING here at the POINT. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have asks the 49er to help and this will be our October 49er gathering. You do not have to attend the meeting. Just bring your food and join us for lunch. We will get the KFC, drinks and rolls but we need your help with the other things. It will work if we have a servant’s heart!
Have a great Wednesday and thanks for reading the blog!!!!
