Articles
THE PATIENCE OF SATAN
Surely you mean “the patience of Job”. Or, perhaps you meant to write “the patience of
God”. You can’t possibly mean “the patience of Satan.” And even though it sounds a bit absurd,
that is exactly what I meant to write. And better yet, is the need for us to understand the working
of Satan in our lives.
This past week Cathy and I were in Illinois celebrating her parents’ 65th wedding
anniversary. One of the activities we enjoy whenever the family gets together is our time of
worship with the church there. It was during a visit with one of my brothers there that we spoke
on the frustrations and discouragements that come our way as children of God. I repeated to him
a thought that had been shared with me several years ago by a local preacher that frustration and
discouragement are tools of Satan. There was agreement with the statement, and then he
responded with the following, “And Satan is very patient.”
I have allowed that thought to captivate me for the last several days. We are quick to point
out the patience of Job and the patience of God, but we fail to recognize that the work of Satan
may very well be in a field all its own. And we know that “...the devil, prowls around like a
roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). I don’t picture a lion giving up after one
failed attempt. Maybe you have never watched a lion size up its prey before attacking, but no
doubt you have watched a cat in its preparations to pounce on its unsuspecting prey. There is no
rush. Just a very calculated wait before pouncing on the unsuspecting victim.
Maybe we don’t see Satan in that way, but perhaps it is time for us to re-think the working
of our greatest enemy. No doubt Satan waited patiently before Eve (and Adam) succumbed to the
temptation of the fruit in the garden. And as he waited then, he does so now with us, “...seeking
someone to devour.” And unfortunately, his success rate seems to be climbing! Solomon
characterizes the one falling into the temptation of adultery “...as an ox goes to the slaughter,…”
(Proverbs 7:22). Is it possible that we have allowed ourselves to be so caught up in the pleasures
of the world that we have become like that ox to the slaughter?
The apostle Paul warned Timothy to teach with gentleness so that God may grant
repentance, so that “they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having
been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26). O Christian, it is time to awaken from
our slumber before it is everlastingly too late! Yes, the Lord is patient, but so is Satan! Who is
winning the battle for your soul? ~P. Mowrer
