Pretty Please

When my daughters were still young girls I could always tell exactly when they wanted something from me. First of all they would become suddenly very obedient. They would clean their rooms without being told to, they would volunteer to do the dishes and they might even help clean the house without me nagging at them about it over and over again. However the number one way I knew they wanted something was they would come to me with the most innocent look you have ever seen and with a soft voice, that had just a little bit of a whine to it they would say “Daddy can I pretty please... followed by the big request for that something special.” Sometimes I would take advantage of the situation and tell them if they would just do a few more chores for me than I grant them their request.” I have to tell you sometimes it was very difficult to tell my sweet little charming girls no when I knew that the thing they were asking for was not really in their best interest. The Bible calls Satan the "ruler of this world" and the "god of this world", meaning he has great spiritual power over human systems and people who do not follow God. However, his power is limited, temporary, and completely under God's control.

1 John 4:4 ESV 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.

Satan is also called the “prince of the power of the air” in Ephesians 2:2. He is the “ruler of this world” in John 12:31. These titles and many more signify Satan’s capabilities. He wields a certain amount of authority and power in this world. He is not a king, but a prince, a ruler of some sort. In some way he rules over the world and the people in it. The Bible calls Satan “the god of this world” not because he owns the earth, but because he influences world systems: media, entertainment, culture. That’s why Scripture warns us to be careful what we see and what we hear. What enters the eyes and ears affects the soul.

Luke 8:18 ESV Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.

As the god of this world, Satan puts forward his agenda, and the unbelievers in the world follow. Thankfully, our Lord is greater than the god of this world. Satan had to ask God permission before touching Job. The bible tells us that Satan roams the earth, he accuses God's children before the throne both day and night. He destroys those who have not placed their faith in God. But before he could touch Job's life he had to stand before God and receive permission. As the god of this world, Satan has spread his lies far and wide. Many of his lies have been successful in taking root and deceiving millions. Here are a few of his more popular ones; God doesn’t exist, God doesn’t care, God cannot be trusted, Jesus did not rise from the dead, and maybe his most successful lie is You can go to heaven you’re not good enough! But think about this,... Satan may posses some power but never more than what God permits!

Job 1:12 ESV And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

All Satan's power is by permission. He has no authority to do anything God does not permit for His infinitely wise purposes. Satan may roam the earth but he still has to report to the throne of God the same throne that he rebelled against!