The Father of lies
John 8:44 speaks to how the devil is the father of lies, but it wasn’t until I read once again Job 1 that this came to even greater light. As I read the first few verses in the chapter, things clicked for me. The devil has been enjoying himself with each lie he has us believing. Let’s look at this story and identify the lies he has told over the centuries.
Job 1:1-12
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. 4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom. 6 One day the angels[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan[b] also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” 9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” 12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
Job 1:1-12
Lies of the Devil
1. The Devil doesn’t have priority. He is not that important. Job 1 highlights that he needs to stand in line, just like everyone else. He could only approach God at the time slotted for those visits. Don’t be fooled.
2. The Devil has to ask for permission. He can’t do anything he wants to do. He fools us and makes us think that he has so much more power than he actually has. But he needs permission first from the one true God.
3. The Devil is not omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (everywhere) or omnipotent (all-powerful). The Lord had to point out someone who could be tested. The Devil noted to God that He had a hedge around Job. He tried before but could only get so far. This is a reminder that when we struggle and think that our life is rough, we need to give God praise because the devil has probably tried to throw significantly more at us, but God protects us.
Food for thought
When the devil asked, God said, “did you think of Job? My response as soon as I read that, “Lord, don’t call my name”. There are so many others in the Bible that I could think of who deserved to have God put them forward to be tested and go through suffering. And it is the same reaction even today; when going through storms, the mind wanders, and we get frustrated at why we have to suffer when others live a great life. But that is another lie that we believe in. We all suffer and go through our storms. The devil, though, doesn’t waste his energy on those who have no interest in or being obedient to God. He wants us, God’s children. The devil is working tirelessly to have us believe in his lies. He needs to have us turned away from God so that he can win! Let us run the race set before us, and daily seek God’s strength and wisdom to fight our own fight and claim a victory.
Prayer
Abba Father, protect us from the lies of the evil one who is prowling like a lion to devour us. Give us the strength and wisdom for each new day to face whatever comes our way. Renew within us a spirit to guard our minds and hearts; to stay focused on you Lord and never to waver or despair. In Jesus’ name. Amen