1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

1. Satan does exist, and denying that truth does not change that truth. Paul recognized the existence of Satan and he did not see the necessity to argue for that existence. He knew that the church at Thessalonica had enough experience with evil in the world that they recognized there was a malevolent spirit seeking to destroy all humankind. Today some people want to deny Satan’s existence just as some want to deny the existence of God. However, human beliefs and wishes cannot change a spiritual reality.

2. Satan is not responsible for everything bad. Paul had many bad things happen to him, however he only mentioned Satan working in his life twice. Paul blamed Satan for hindering him from returning to Thessalonica even though he longed to return with all his heart. Paul also credited the thorn in his flesh as being a messenger of Satan (2 Cor 12:7). He did not explain what the thorn was, but said it tormented him.

3. Satan gets too much credit. In the 1960s Flip Wilson, a comedian, made famous the saying,” The devil made me do it.” The truth is, according to Paul and Scripture, Satan cannot make us do anything. He can deceive us and he can trick us, but he cannot force us. That is why he masquerades as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14).

4. Satan’s power is limited. He is limited to deceiving, tempting and hindering Christians. We do not know how he hindered Paul from returning to Thessalonica. However we do know it was not thru a direct attack. Satan uses humans to do his work for him.

Righteous theology requires that we maintain the right balance between spiritual truths. A righteous theology concerning Satan require special attention to that balance. He is real, and he has some power. However, that truth is balanced by the reality of Christ. Satan’s power is limited, but there is no limit to the power of Jesus. God will soon crush Satan under his feet (Romans 16:20).