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Have you ever thought about the differences between God and Satan? Have you ever sat down and really contemplated the contrasts between their attributes, qualities, abilities, conduct, actions, methods, principles, and characters?
If you have never done so, I encourage you to take a few minutes and start a list. Then prayerfully note the differences—it is quite stark. As you consider this list, have you ever seen some attributes misapplied—some elements on Satan’s list being applied to God and vice versa?
Below is my own partial list of some of the differences between God and Satan; take a moment and read each element, contemplate the meaning, consider the implications for your life, and evaluate where and how you have seen this contrast at work in your experiences. Then consider what is happening in the world today and inquire: Who is at work, whose kingdom is advancing, with a particular activity, policy, or program? And when you see organizations, programs, activities, institutions, and even friends insist on using the methods of Satan to advance their causes, determine to divest yourself from them. Commit yourself to applying to your life only the attributes, principles, and methods of our Creator God—for there is no middle ground.
| God is the Creator. | Satan is the destroyer. |
| God builds up. | Satan tears down. |
| God is the life-giver. | Satan is the death-bringer. |
| God is truth. | Satan is the father of lies. |
| God is a constructionist. | Satan is a deconstructionist. |
| God is love. | Satan is selfish. |
| God is good. | Satan is evil. |
| God is kind. | Satan is cruel. |
| God is patient. | Satan is demanding. |
| God protects liberty. | Satan coerces. |
| God wins with truth and love. | Satan dupes with tricks and treats. |
| God is beautiful. | Satan is grotesque. |
| God is trustworthy. | Satan is untrustworthy. |
| God is consistent. | Satan is inconsistent. |
| God is gentle. | Satan is abusive. |
| God brings order. | Satan brings chaos. |
| God is our friend. | Satan is our enemy. |
| God gives life meaning. | Satan makes life meaningless. |
| God is rational. | Satan is irrational. |
| God brings clarity. | Satan causes confusion. |
| God’s presence is peace. | Satan’s presence is terror. |
| God brings unity. | Satan causes division. |
| God is calm. | Satan is frantic. |
| God is light. | Satan is darkness. |
| God is meek. | Satan is arrogant. |
| God heals. | Satan infects. |
| God is our remedy. | Satan is our malignancy. |
| God protects. | Satan exploits. |
| God is for us. | Satan is against us. |
| God’s laws treat everyone equally. | Satan’s laws cause inequity. |
| God is considerate. | Satan is rude. |
| God rejoices in doing good. | Satan delights in causing harm. |
| God inspires hope. | Satan instills despair. |
| God keeps no record of wrongs. | Satan keeps score. |
| God doesn’t remind us of our sins. | Satan throws our sins in our faces. |
| God removes our guilt and shame. | Satan is the source of guilt and shame. |
| God encourages. | Satan discourages. |
| God gives freedom. | Satan enslaves. |
| God restores our self-control. | Satan makes us his pawns. |
| God does what is right. | Satan does what is expedient. |
| God never fails. | Satan never wins. |
| God deserves our love, trust, and devotion. | Satan deserves our pity, distrust, and rejection. |
Understanding the divergent methods, principles, and attributes of God and Satan can be an effective tool in helping the mature in Christ discern between what is good and what is evil in the world today. I encourage you to make your own list and actively seek to apply only God’s methods to your life each day, to support those causes that live out God’s methods, and to divest yourself from those systems that actively employ the methods of Satan.
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