No, I don’t mean great as in wonderful – nor do I mean the United States, as some see it. I’m referring to the great dragon, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan (Rev. 13:9). Recently, a Christian brother commenting on Luke 4:6, wondered the extent of Satan’s power.

In our postmodern world, Satan has been relegated to a mythical figure deemed to be symbolic of the evil of mankind. I certainly believe that – left to our own devices – we humans can be downright wicked. Our own sinfulness can lead ourselves and others down a path of destruction. However, the Bible testifies to a powerful being – a fallen angel – committed to subjecting as many souls as he can to the fate that awaits him (Rev 20:10; 20:14,15). Concerning the extent of his powers of destruction, consider the words of Isaiah 14:16, 17 (NKJV – Emphases mine):

“Those who see you will gaze at you, and consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world as a wilderness and destroyed its cities, who did not open the house of his prisoners?’”

Although most folks lean toward the aforementioned “mythical figure” belief (even many professed Christians), some recognize this great power and consider this being as someone to be worshiped – another grave mistake. The Scriptures bear witness of his deceitful nature (Gen 3:13; 2 Cor. 11:14; Eph. 6:11) – pumping up egos to lead them to destruction.

There are other Christians who sing about how they are going to stomp on Satan, and boldly pronounce their binding of him. Presumptuous, I think, since the Bible declares that even “Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil… dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’” (Jude v. 9).

The point of my post? The devil is not someone to be toyed with in disbelief, worship, nor with presumed authority. Instead, we need to put our trust in Christ, to Whom all power in heaven and on earth resides (Matt. 28:18). Let us acknowledge Him. Let us worship Him, and let Him do the rebuking.