Does Satan have to ask for God's permission before he can attack us?

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TL;DR:

While Satan did ask for God’s permission before he attacked Job and Peter, we are not told that this is what happens for every attack he launches. While Satan can attack us, God has given us everything we need to counter his attacks.

from the old testament

  • Job 1 and 2 describe Satan requesting permission from God to attack Job's life. Based on these chapters, some believe that Satan must ask God for permission to attack us spiritually. Though Satan requested permission in Job's case, there is no evidence that this is always the case.

from the new testament

  • Luke 22:31–32 offers one additional example where Satan asked to attack Peter. There, Jesus stated, "Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat" (v. 31 [NIV]). Typically, Satan is portrayed as a liar and the father of lies, working to destroy others without obtaining specific permission from God.
  • Satan is called the ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30). He has already been given authority to operate in this world, tempting people to sin. He even tempted Jesus in the wilderness, being resisted by Him (Matthew 4:1–11). Satan was able to work through Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus without any mention of obtaining specific permission from God.
  • First Peter 5:8–9 teaches, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." We are to expect Satan to attack and are called to be prepared and resist him. But James 4:7 promises, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

implications for today

Satan comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). First John 5:19 teaches, "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." Yet we are to "give no opportunity to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27) and to set our mind on the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5). Ephesians 6:10–20 also offers clear advice regarding how to respond to Satan's attacks. We stand firm, wearing God's "spiritual armor" to successfully respond to the devil's schemes: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (v. 11). For those who believe in Christ, we can rest in His promise that, "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Satan’s power is limited, and God’s power is infinite. Nothing, not even Satan, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37–39). In the end, Satan will be defeated, and his power will end (Revelation 20:10).

understand

  • Satan asked for permission to attack Job and Peter, but this is not always how things happen.
  • The Bible does not consistently show that Satan needs explicit permission for every attack.
  • Believers are equipped with spiritual armor and Christ’s power to resist and overcome Satan’s schemes.

reflect

  • How do you understand the concept of spiritual attacks in your own life, and how do you feel knowing that Satan's power is limited by God's sovereignty?
  • How have you experienced or overcome personal challenges that might be related to spiritual opposition, and how did you rely on God's power in those moments?
  • How does the assurance that Christ has equipped us with spiritual armor impact your daily walk and interactions when Satan attacks?

engage

  • How do the examples of Satan's requests for permission with Job and Peter inform our understanding of spiritual authority and opposition today?
  • What does the absence of a requirement for permission in some New Testament instances reveal about Satan's role and limitations in spiritual warfare?
  • How can the promise of victory through Christ influence our approach to resisting spiritual attacks and maintaining faith in challenging times?