Our Discontented Adversary
Satan was not content to fulfill God’s purpose. Are you?
Introduction
Before Adam breathed his first breath, God had created a multitude of spirit beings called angels. These creatures were given great strength and intelligence to serve God, on earth and in a holy place called Heaven. One angel was given more power than the others. Known today as Satan, this angel was not content to fulfill the purpose for which he was created. He wanted to take God’s place. So Satan became God’s enemy, leading a great number of angels to rebel against God. And so it was that Satan was cast down from his position of privilege before God.
– The HOPE, Chapter 2
Observe & Consider
The Bible and The HOPE tell us that we have an adversary, a foe, an opponent in this life. He is known today as Satan. Not much Biblical narrative is given to the story of Satan’s creation and fall. However, enough passages do exist to piece together what God wants us to know about this fallen angel who challenged God.
Many Bible scholars draw upon Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:12-18 to learn of Satan’s fall. While these two passages are commonly understood as references to the kings of Babylon and Tyre, many believe they have a double meaning, referring also to Satan, the spiritual power behind those kings.1
These passages show that Satan was given much by God, yet he was not content to fulfill the purpose for which he was created. In his discontent, he rebelled – and when he did, he lost everything. In fact, Satan has become the most despised being in all of creation, and his end, as we shall soon see, is tragic and certain. He chose against God!
Ask & Reflect
Do you understand the purpose for which you have been created? If so, are you content to fulfill it? Many people are not. Consider the following verses about your purposeful creation:
“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:13-17).
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).
From these Bible passages, we see that God created us – and that He created us for a purpose.
- Can you think of anything more satisfying than to fulfill the very purpose for which you have been made?
- What can we learn from Satan’s example? He too was created by God for a purpose, but he rebelled against God and sought to pursue his own plan.
- Why would a person say to God, “I do not want to be the person that you have made me to be”?
Decide & Do
If you have been wrestling with God’s plan for your life, then you might have some heart–to–heart business to transact with your Creator. His plan for you is always better than any other as this verse from Jeremiah reassures:
“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
If you don’t yet have a clue concerning His purpose for your life, then begin by asking yourself, “How well do I know Him?” You see, knowing your purpose in life starts with knowing the One who gives you a purpose. If you’ve never taken the step to know Him personally, then take some time now to read or re– read the material written for you in the Knowing God section at the end of this study.
Perhaps you already have a fairly good idea of God’s purpose for your life, but you’re not finding fulfillment or satisfaction in it. Maybe you are even running away from that purpose out of fear or pride. Don’t make the same mistake that Satan made. God has something to teach you. Seek to grow in your relationship with God, and as you delight yourself in Him, “He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it” (Psalm 37:4-5).
Footnotes
1Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology (Victor Books, A Division of Scripture Press, Wheaton, Illinois, 1988, pp. 141–143).