Satan Can Only Do What God Allows?

[VerticalReality]

Really?

Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

So, Jesus was basically just going about healing people of things that were allowed by His Father?

What about mankind? Can mankind not allow Satan to bring stuff? Why do we insist that all things brought by the devil had God's approval first?

[Brother Mark]

If I am walking with God, submitted under his authority, and I resist the devil, and he doesn't flee from me, then it is a test that God has allowed. That's part of the lesson we learn with Job. However, your point is a good one! Much of what happens to us we allow because we break the laws of God in some way (i.e. don't resist, unbelief, don't submit to the authority of the Lord, lack of knowledge, etc.)

[VerticalReality]

If I am walking with God, submitted under his authority, and I resist the devil, and he doesn't flee from me, then it is a test that God has allowed. That's part of the lesson we learn with Job. However, your point is a good one! Much of what happens to us we allow because we break the laws of God in some way (i.e. don't resist, unbelief, don't submit to the authority of the Lord, lack of knowledge, etc.)

I would say the devil will never NOT flee if we resist him. He just might not flee immediately. Scripture never says a timeframe for the devil's fleeing. He stuck around long enough to tempt Jesus with three things before splitting. Jesus did resist all three, though, and the devil eventually left with nothing more than a whimper. I think the same is true with us. I think there will be times that we have to endure temptation longer than others.

I do understand what you're saying, though.

[Brother Mark]

I would say the devil will never NOT flee if we resist him. He just might not flee immediately. Scripture never says a timeframe for the devil's fleeing. He stuck around long enough to tempt Jesus with three things before splitting. Jesus did resist all three, though, and the devil eventually left with nothing more than a whimper. I think the same is true with us. I think there will be times that we have to endure temptation longer than others.

I do understand what you're saying, though.

Well, the fact it's not immediate tells me that the Lord has allowed him to stay. When authority and power come down from on high, nothing can stand in it's way. When Jesus approached the demons and devils they trembled with fear. When Jesus was in the desert, when he told Satan to flee, he left. By resist, I don't mean fight temptation. I mean fight the devil. Jesus fought the temptation, during his trial. But when he resisted the devil, after the trial was over, the enemy had to leave.

And if you go back and read about Jesus in the desert, it was a test allowed by God. That's why he resisted temptation at first, then resisted the enemy after the temptation was over. God was testing him. Satan was tempting him.

[VerticalReality]

Another point I would make as well is that Job did not resist Satan.

[Doge]

So, Jesus was basically just going about healing people of things that were allowed by His Father?

Yes, and he didn't heal all tho he could have had the power to heal all the world...but for the purpose of what he came to do he did what he had to.

What about mankind? Can mankind not allow Satan to bring stuff? Why do we insist that all things brought by the devil had God's approval first?

I think man has no power over Satan like ant vs man...but in Christ we do.......Not Gods approval but permission ...like in the book of Job...

[Brother Mark]

Another point I would make as well is that Job did not resist Satan.

God removed the hedge and Job had prayed for the hedge around his family daily. That sounds like resistance to me. But I get what your saying. Also, when God spoke about Leviathan, didn't he tell Job that he was not someone to trifle with?

[VerticalReality]

Yes, and he didn't heal all tho he could have had the power to heal all the world...but for the purpose of what he came to do he did what he had to.

So, Jesus was rebuking unclean spirits that His Father wanted to be there? Please consider what you're saying here.

I think man has no power over Satan like ant vs man...but in Christ we do.......Not Gods approval but permission ...like in the book of Job...

Why would Jesus rebuke His Father's permission?

[Reynolds357]

Really?

Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

So, Jesus was basically just going about healing people of things that were allowed by His Father?

What about mankind? Can mankind not allow Satan to bring stuff? Why do we insist that all things brought by the devil had God's approval first?

I agree with you.

[Reynolds357]

If I am walking with God, submitted under his authority, and I resist the devil, and he doesn't flee from me, then it is a test that God has allowed. That's part of the lesson we learn with Job. However, your point is a good one! Much of what happens to us we allow because we break the laws of God in some way (i.e. don't resist, unbelief, don't submit to the authority of the Lord, lack of knowledge, etc.)

Job is not a valid comparison. In Job's covenant, He did not yet have authority or dominion over satan.

[Brother Mark]

So, Jesus was rebuking unclean spirits that His Father wanted to be there? Please consider what you're saying here.

I do think God uses unclean spirits. Paul turned over people to Satan so that they could be taught. Matthew 18 speaks about being turned over to the tormentors if we walk in unforgiveness. God used Israel's enemies to chastise them. Why would he not use our enemies to chastise us?

Also, God would not remove the "messenger of Satan" from Paul.

[Reynolds357]

God removed the hedge and Job had prayed for the hedge around his family daily. That sounds like resistance to me. But I get what your saying. Also, when God spoke about Leviathan, didn't he tell Job that he was not someone to trifle with?

Actually, Job's fear is what allowed the hedge to come down.

[VerticalReality]

God removed the hedge and Job had prayed for the hedge around his family daily. That sounds like resistance to me.

What are you referencing?

[Brother Mark]

Job is not a valid comparison. In Job's covenant, He did not yet have authority or dominion over satan.

The OT was written for our example. God tested Job, he tested Jesus, he tested Adam, he'll test us too.

[Reynolds357]

I do think God uses unclean spirits. Paul turned over people to Satan so that they could be taught. Matthew 18 speaks about being turned over to the tormentors if we walk in unforgiveness. God used Israel's enemies to chastise them. Why would he not use our enemies to chastise us?

Also, God would not remove the "messenger of Satan" from Paul.

God did not remove it because Paul had been given the authority to deal with Satan.