Why does God allow Satan to attack you?

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “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. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Job 1:9-11

This week Jan and I suffered a vicious attack from Satan. We are both physically fine but we went through a stressful and chaotic experience. It was also very costly and diverted us from the life of God.

The question is why does God allow Satan to afflict believers? This is a complex question with no simple explanation. The most important truth to remember is God is greater than Satan and can restrain his efforts at any time.

In the example of Job, you find a blameless man who walked by faith with God and lived an upright life. God allowed Satan to viciously attack Job and he lost virtually everything but his life. God did this to prove to Satan that Job would remain faithful to God regardless of the traumatic experiences in his life.

So at times God will lift the hedge of protection around you and allow Satan to afflict you. This is designed to test your faith and demonstrate God has power and dominion over Satan.

You can also open the door to Satan by pursing an evil temptation. This happens when you accept an ungodly thought in your mind and allow the thought to become a desire. Sin is conceived inside you and then will be easily worked out in the reality of your life. This is why you need to flee from every ungodly thought. And, when in doubt over a course of action take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.

You can also unconsciously open the door to Satan by failing to pray for wisdom and protection prior to beginning a new day or special endeavor. It is also vitally important to invite the Holy Spirit to have authority over your life and to submit to the leading of the Spirit.

If you are doing work for the kingdom of God you can expect to be tormented by Satan. He hates Jesus and wants to destroy His influence in the world.

Remember, you are in a war between light and darkness. Satan wants to steal, kill, and destroy. He is a deceiver and a liar.

Stand firm and resist the darts of Satan! Equip yourself with the full armor of God and utilize the weapons provided by God.

Embrace yourself with the truths of God.

Live by faith in the righteousness of God.

Walk in the shoes of the gospel of peace. Seek peace and pursue it in all aspects of your life.

Defend yourself against the darts of Satan with the sword of the Spirit praying and making supplication in the Spirit to our awesome God. Be watchful at all times and persevere with prayers for the saints.

Wear the helmet of salvation which is your assurance of living with God forever.

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!