He is Limited!
May 30, 2023
He is Limited!
Sometimes we may be tempted to despair because of our constant spiritual battle, but this is what the enemy would want us to believe—that he can't be stopped. Even though he tries and he is very crafty, satan is not on equal-but-opposite ground of the Lord. The devil is a created being who is limited, which means our Lord has dominion and victory even over our adversary. In today's post, I want to briefly explore the ways the enemy is limited.
Because, despite satan's power and influence, the Bible teaches that he has several limitations imposed on him by God. These limitations include his time, resources, strength, and wisdom.
Limited Time
Firstly, satan's time is limited. The Bible teaches that satan knows that his time on earth is short and that he has come down with great wrath. This is seen in Revelation 12:12, which suggests that satan is aware that his influence on earth is limited and that he is running out of time to accomplish his goals. This is further supported by other passages, such as Matthew 25:41, which describes hell as a place prepared for the devil and his angels. This implies that satan's influence and power are ultimately defeated, and his time is limited.
Limited Resources
Secondly, satan's resources are limited. While satan may have some power and influence in the world, he does not have unlimited resources. In the book of Job, satan is permitted to test Job, but God limits what he can do. God says, "Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand." (Job 1:12). Job's adversary can only act within the parameters set by God.
Additionally, 2 Corinthians 4:4 says that satan is the god of this world, but this does not mean he has unlimited power or resources. His influence on the earth is limited and temporary, and he cannot ultimately defeat God or his plans for the world.
Remember, only God is omnipresent, and the devil cannot always be everywhere. He may have led a rebellion and have fallen angels at his disposal, but they are limited in number. He doesn't have enough demons to be everywhere.
Praise the Lord, satan can't camp out at your house all the time!
Limited Power
Thirdly, and possibly most importantly, only God is omnipotent. The devil may have been allowed some power but only at the discretion of God and His purpose. While satan is a powerful spiritual being, he is not all-powerful. In James 4:7, it says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This passage suggests that satan is not all-powerful and that believers can resist his influence through their submission to God.
“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.”
1 John 5:18
We as believers are protected from satan's influence and ultimately he cannot hurt us. While satan may try to deceive and harm people, he cannot overcome the power of God or the Holy Spirit.
Limited Wisdom
Fourthly, satan's wisdom is limited compared to God's wisdom.
“Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?.”
1 Corinthians 1:20
This verse tells us that satan's wisdom is inferior to God's. Additionally, 2 Corinthians 11:14 says satan disguises himself as an angel of light. The devil may try to deceive people with his false wisdom and knowledge, but his understanding is ultimately flawed and incomplete compared to God's wisdom.
Believers can take comfort in the fact that God's power and wisdom will always prevail over satan's limited power and wisdom. The limitations of satan serve as a reminder that God is ultimately in control of the universe and that His power and wisdom are far greater than any power or insight that satan possesses. These limitations also remind believers that they can resist satan's influence and that his strength is ultimately temporary.
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