By Nanci Des Gerlaise
(Canadian Cree author of Muddy Waters)
God and Satan are not two equal powers in a dualistic battle between good and evil. God’s power is infinite whereas Satan can only do what the Lord gives him permission to do, as evidenced in the Book of Job. Therefore, Satan’s power is limited whereas God’s power is without limit. Our Lord reigns as the supreme Creator and King of the universe, and His purposes are being accomplished in the world whether or not His creatures accept Him as Lord. The following information illustrates the relationship between God and His creation.*
ETERNAL
GOD
He is before all things. (Colossians 1:17)
MAN
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:8)
SATAN
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20-9-11)
KING
GOD
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Revelation 22:13)
MAN
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
SATAN
. . . an angel come down from heaven . . laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him . . . And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. (Revelation 20:1-2, 10)
SHEPHERD
GOD
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
MAN
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
SATAN
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
LORD
GOD
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (Psalm 18:2)
Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. (1 Timothy 6:15)
MAN
Rejected His Lordship: And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took . . . and did eat, and gave . . . to her husband . . . and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6)
SATAN
Deceives people through lies, threats, deception, twisted truths and counterfeit promises . . . [F]or Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)
. . . the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:26)
JUDGE
GOD
Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. (Psalm 96:13)
MAN
Faced with spiritual death and bondage as a consequence for sin. (See Genesis 2:17 and Romans 4:12.)
SATAN
Charged with rebellion. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! . . . Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12, 15)
CREATOR
GOD
Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. (Psalm 96:13)
MAN
Faced with spiritual death and bondage as a consequence for sin. (See Genesis 2:17 and Romans 4:12.)
SATAN
Charged with rebellion. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! . . . Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12, 15)
SAVIOR
GOD
[W]e . . . know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. (John 4:42)
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
MAN
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God. (John 1:11-12)
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15)
SATAN
Has limited access to faithful believers: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
In God’s economy, He takes what was meant for even the worst evil and works it all to His good: “. . . the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him” (John 13:2).
VICTOR
GOD
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
MAN
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
SATAN
. . . ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound . . . lo, these eighteen years, be loosed . . .? (Luke 13:16)
. . . healing all that were oppressed of the devil . . . (Acts 10:38)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
PROVIDER
GOD
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (Matthew 6:30-32)
MAN
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed. (Genesis 1:29)
And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot. (Deuteronomy 29:5)
SATAN
Assigned limited power—yet ultimately accountable to God. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. (Job 1:12)
Therefore, Satan’s power is but a droplet in the ocean of God’s power!
(From Appendix I in Muddy Waters: an insider’s view of North American Native Spirituality) –
*Most of the material from Appendix I has been taken from Kjos Ministries website, used with permission. You may view this and other valuable information at: http://www.crossroad.to/charts/spiritual_war.htm
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