#1: Satan needs God’s permission to attack us
Satan didn’t ask for permission to go after Job because he didn’t need permission. In the Garden of Eden we opened the door to sin and have been reaping the consequences ever since.
The good news is it doesn’t have to be this way. By the grace of God the devil flees when we resist him (James 4:7). Don’t be like Job and let the thief plunder your house. Be like David who encouraged himself in the Lord and fought back (1 Sam 30:6).
#2: God uses Satan as a sheepdog to keep the sheep in line
Woof! What nonsense. What fellowship does light have with darkness (2 Cor 6:14)?
#3: God gives us sickness and suffering to teach us character
Satan’s aim was to trick God into harming Job, something that God would never do. Although
Job thought God was responsible for his loss, God sent Elihu to set him straight. Elihu is a picture of Jesus who went around “healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). Jesus doesn’t give sickness; he takes it from us.
#4: God “allows” sickness and suffering to afflict us
God does not work for the devil. If God gave the thief permission to rob you, he wouldn’t be a thief.
First Adam lost control of the planet, but last Adam took back what the devil stole. In Christ you are destined to reign like a king (Rom 5:17). But you won’t reign if you heed the lies above and follow Job instead of Jesus.
Grace and peace to you.
Thank you Dr. Paul Ellis