Satan has demonstrated his power of deception throughout the Bible. In addition, he does have earthly powers that are quite disturbing. The only comfort we have is that he remains under God’s sovereign control and authority. However, this doesn’t in any way diminish his demonic, evil plans to deceive the world.
Another example of his power was provided in his temptation of Jesus. We will look at the whole story to insure we maintain context. We have looked at this passage before to reveal his boldness, but now we will look at his power.
Luke 4:1-13 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.
And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'"
We just need to remember just how bold and confident Satan is as he attempts to tempt the Son of God. Jesus will soon be given total authority over everything, yet Satan acts as if he is in control.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them (His apostles), saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. "Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"
Imagine, Satan brought Jesus to a place and then made it possible for them to see all the kingdoms of the world! How could he do this? We don’t know, but he did.
And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU,' and, 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" And Jesus answered and said to him, "It is said, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"
Satan transported both of them from the desert to the very top of the Temple in Jerusalem. They didn’t walk and then climb, they were instantly transported through the air. It would appear that they would not have been seen either.
When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time. Satan is himself deceived. He actually tried to tempt God and believed he could. He also believes the world is his alone, but it isn’t. Nevertheless, he acts with boldness, power, and demonic evil toward all who are in his way of deceiving the world.
His power is not to be dismissed or ignored, but also for those truly ‘in Christ’, not to be feared.