“So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. And after the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Jesus therefore said to him, ‘What you do, do quickly.’” (John 13: 26-27)
It is almost unimaginable that Judas Iscariot, after traveling with Jesus Christ for several years, could conspire with the Pharisees to betray Him for thirty shekels of silver. He had watched Jesus heal the sick, open the eyes of the blind, raise the dead, and feed thousands from five small loaves and two fish.
How could Judas do such a heinous, dastardly, dirty deed, to betray God Himself in the person of His Son?
Like the religious leaders who plotted to murder Jesus, Judas was the spiritual child of his father, Satan. What’s worse, Satan entered the spirit of Judas incarnating himself to inflame the betrayal by this “son of perdition.”
When this traitorous, cowardly deed was over, he capped off the plan of his father by hanging himself, forsaking the world of men for the habitation of demons and unnumbered multitudes who had lived in rebellion against their creator. The torments of hell, rather than the joys of heaven, would be his eternal abode.
Should we have any fear of this evil leader of the fallen angels? Is there any danger that he, the “prince of the power of the air,” could ever entice us to evil?
First, we would do well to be reminded of just who Satan is. In his little volume, Concise Theology, J. I. Packer summarizes Satan’s character:
“Satan is a creature, superhuman but not divine; he has much knowledge and power, but he is neither omniscient nor omnipotent; he can move around in ways that humans cannot, but he is not omnipresent; and he is an already defeated rebel, having no more power than God allows him and being destined for the lake of fire” (pp. 69-70).
His names or titles describe his character: adversary, “devil” meaning accuser, “Appollyon” meaning destroyer or tempter, the “evil one” and the “god of this world” presiding over the lives of unbelievers. He is a murderer and a liar and his children are those who have never been delivered from his power by Christ.
Second, we should remind ourselves of the words of Peter – the disciple, who after betraying his Lord by telling a lie, was transformed into a preacher of righteousness:
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Satan desires to keep people from hearing the Gospel of Christ. He also desires to devour the life and usefulness of professing believers who set their minds and affections on things on this earth rather than “things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). We’re tempted to build a nest egg here on earth, while our bank account in heaven is void of spiritual treasures.
Thirdly, we should realize that God tells us how Satan and his host of demonic powers strive to devour unsuspecting, gullible individuals. He does this through false teachers.
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
Show me a person who calls himself or herself a minister of Christ and who denies the deity, incarnation, sinless life, substitutionary death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming of Jesus Christ and I’ll show you a minister of Satan.
Show me a so-called minister who fails to preach on sin, Christ’s atoning blood, and the necessity of the new birth and I’ll show you a person who is vacuous of any true spiritual wisdom or calling.
We should learn from the example of Judas, the betrayer of the Son of God, and listening to the words of Jesus, we should,
“Fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
We should heed the admonishment of the Apostle James, who said,
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded” (James 4:7-8).
Yes, even the most supposedly “spiritual” of us are still sinners. We are still double minded. So let us believe, rejoice, and trust the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” – Jesus the risen, ascended Messiah of Israel and intercessor of all believers – who said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you…come to me and I will give you rest” (Hebrews 13:5 & Matthew 11:28). He is the conqueror of Satan and his minions. By His indwelling Spirit, Christ enables us to be His conquerors and opens His arms to our stumbling ways. It would do us well to learn that old German hymn,
Praise the Savior, ye who know Him!
Who can tell how much we owe Him?
Gladly let us render to Him all we are and have.
Jesus is the name that charms us,
He for conflict fits and arms us;
nothing moves and nothing harms us
While we trust in Him.
Trust in Him, ye saints, forever,
He is faithful, changing never;
neither force nor guile can sever
those who trust in Him.
Keep us, Lord, on Thee relying
whether living, whether dying;
let no bitterness or sighing
mar our trust and praise.