Be Watchful Satan Wants to Devour You!

SATAN IS CRUEL 

The apostle Peter compared Satan to "a roaring lion."   One reference book explains that the Greek word translated "roaring " means "the howl of a beast in fierce hunger."  How well that describes Satan's cruel and wicked attitude! He already controls the whole world, yet that is not enough for him. Satan is like a lion that is hungry for more victims.  (1 John 5:19) His main targets are the anointed still on earth, who are joined by the "other sheep." (John 10:16; Revelation 12:17)  Satan's goal is to destroy Jehovah's people.  The persecution of true Christians from the first century until now proves just how cruel Satan is.  

Satan has shown his cruelty in another way.  A starving lion does not feel sorry for its prey.  It does not feel any compassion before the kill, and it does not feel guilty after the kill.  Ina similar way, Satan does not feel any compassion for those whom he attacks.  For example, how do you think Satan felt each time he saw the Israelites give in to sins such as sexual immorality and greed? can you picture Satan's enjoying his victory as he saw the tragic results of Zimri's immorality and Gehazi's greed? -Numbers 25:6-8, 14, 15; 2 Kings 5:20-27. 

Satan had special reason to target ancient Israel. Remember that the Messiah would come from that nation, and he would be the one to crush Satan and prove that Jehovah has the right to rule.  (Genesis 3:15) Satan did not want the Israelites  to have God's approval, so he did everything he could to corrupt them with sin. Do not imagine that Satan felt sorry for David when he committed adultery. Do not think that he had any compassion for Moses  when he lost the opportunity to enter  the Promised Land. Satan is actually very happy to see one of God's servants commit a serious sin. In fact, the Devil uses such victories  to taunt Jehovah. -Proverbs 27:11. 

Next time: Be Watchful Satan Wants to Devour You! -Conclusion of SATAN IS CRUEL

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015