Lesson 7: Lies are Satan’s main tool in your suffering (Job 2:1-6).

Prayer

Reading: Job 2:1-6.

Meditation

In Job 1 we began to see that Satan has the power to inflict suffering on God’s people. We saw another angle on this in Ephesians 6, which says that, as Christians, we are engaged in a conflict with the forces of darkness. The Christian life is, in one sense, a spiritual struggle against these demonic forces. And in Job 2, we begin to gain some deeper insights into how this struggle works, and the causes of the suffering that come out of it.

Now, I made the point previously that Hollywood seems to have a tendency, in horror movies—which I recommend you avoid—of portraying demonic forces by using images of monsters and deformities and the like. In other words, horror movies tend to portray demonic activity using physical manifestations and creepy imagery. When measured up to reality, however, we see that the power of the enemy isn’t about creepy monsters turning up in dark places. No. Horror movies, in that sense, are very misleading.

The main power of Satan and his demons has always been lies. True, as we’ve seen in chapter one, Satan is permitted, at times, to use physical second causes as a means of attack. But, as Scripture says, he is the “father of lies” (Jn 8:44). It was a lie that undid Adam and Eve, and it is by lies that he continues to exercise dominion and slavery over the fallen human race.

So let’s get this straight: lies are Satan’s main tool. It will be helpful to keep this in mind. We see this abundantly displayed in our passage: “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” (Job 2:1-2).

Now pay attention to Satan’s response. It’s evasive and deceptive. He should have said, “I have been persecuting Job with malicious hatred, and my accusation against him—that he only loved you because he was blessed—was a lie.” That’s what he should have said. He says nothing of the sort. He’s attempting even to lie to God!

So when you think of demonic activities, don’t think of creepy, mutated monsters in dark sewers.

Think of lies.

Life-destroying lies.

When someone talks about the spiritual realm, what comes to mind? Well, one thing you should think about is this: Lies are a point where spiritual and physical reality intersects. It’s the same with t