This is an adaptation of an outline given me by Jerry Carmichael, preacher in Dry Ridge, KY.
In 1 John 4:41 John 4:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
WP-Bible plugin, the apostle writes: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” In verses 17-18, he continues, “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” Finally, in 5:4, John writes: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.”
It seems that many Christians are of the notion that we are to live our lives in fear of our spiritual enemy, Satan. Perhaps this is because of passages such as 1 Peter 5:81 Peter 5:8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,
WP-Bible plugin. However, “beware” is not the same thing as “be fearful”.
FOR THE CHRISTIAN TO LIVE IN A SPIRIT OF FEAR IS CONDEMNED IN THE BIBLE
According to 1 John 4:17-181 John 4:17-18
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
17 Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love.
WP-Bible plugin, fear subsides as one matures and as love grows. John tells us in Revelation 21:8Revelation 21:8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
8 But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part
shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
WP-Bible plugin that cowards will have their part in the lake of punishment! Mary was told by the angels, “Do not be afraid” (Luke 1:30Luke 1:30
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
WP-Bible plugin). The Hebrew writer encourages us, “The Lord is my Helper I will not fear what man can do to me” (13:5-6).
Christians don’t have to walk in constant fear of Satan because “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:41 John 4:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
WP-Bible plugin)! We have overcome the world (1 John 5:41 John 5:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.
WP-Bible plugin)!
SATAN IS NOT OMNISCIENT (ALL KNOWING)!
The cross is evidence of this fact. If Satan were omniscient he would have known that the cross would be his undoing (1 Corinthians 2:6-81 Corinthians 2:6-8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought:
7 but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory:
8 which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory:
WP-Bible plugin). Therefore, rather than working to have Jesus crucified, he would have worked to keep Him from the cross! He must not have known the end result. He also does not know everything about humans.
SATAN IS NOT OMNIPOTENT (ALL POWERFUL)!
He could not afflict Job more than what He was allowed by God (Job 1:6-2:6Job 1:6-2:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them.
7 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil.
9 Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face.
12 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah.
13 And it fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house,
14 that there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them;
15 and the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away: yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house;
19 and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped;
21 and he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
2
1 Again it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah.
2 And Jehovah said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4 And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5 But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face.
6 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life.
WP-Bible plugin). He could not destroy the apostles without “asking” God’s permission (Luke 22:31Luke 22:31
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat:
WP-Bible plugin). According to John 10:28-29John 10:28-29
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
29 My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
WP-Bible plugin, he can’t snatch the obedient believer from the protection of God. He can’t do what we won’t allow him! He can be overcome (1 John 2:12-141 John 2:12-14
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
12 I write unto you, my little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one. I have written unto you, little children, because ye know the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the evil one.
WP-Bible plugin)!
SATAN IS NOT OMNIPRESENT (EVERYPLACE AT ONCE)!
James encourages us in James 4:7James 4:7
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
7 Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
WP-Bible plugin that Satan flees when he is resisted. He waits outside for an opening to get into our lives (Genesis 4:7Genesis 4:7
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
7 If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door: and unto thee shall be its desire, but do thou rule over it.
WP-Bible plugin; 1 Peter 5:81 Peter 5:8
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,
WP-Bible plugin). He cannot inhabit our lives if we don’t allow it! He can also be driven out (Matthew 12:43-45Matthew 12:43-45
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
43 But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.
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CONCLUSION:
Rather than living our lives in the fear of Satan, we should be living in the “joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25:21-23Matthew 25:21-23
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 And he also that received the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
WP-Bible plugin; Neh. 8:10Neh. 8:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.
WP-Bible plugin)! Christians are more powerful than Satan because of the One who dwells in us (1 John 4:41 John 4:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
WP-Bible plugin)! The fox is not a threat to the chickens unless he is allowed into the coup! Satan is not a threat to us unless we let down our guard and allow him to return to our “empty house” (Matt. 12:43-45Matt. 12:43-45
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
43 But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.
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–Paul Holland