Originally posted by Yauming
I agree with you Martin. I get sad when i attend some church services where more than half of the time the prayers and sermons are focused upon Satan. Not in the worship sense, of course but in terms of rebuking etc.. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it. But to spend so much focus on Satan is not good.
The devil is not omnipresent like God. As you said, he is not God's equal, only a created being, albeit powerful, and can't be compared to Him.
This is where the great hymns of old can teach us some practical biblical theology about these matters. I love the Martin Luther hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." The words ring true here:
"A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal."
Here we see Satan's power is indeed great and without equal on the earth.
Verse 3 is the exclamation of victory:
"And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him."
Praise God for His deliverance!
God Bless