Neal Pollard
Mike Vestal was speaking to preachers at this year’s Polishing The Pulpit in Sevierville, Tennessee, on the subject of discouragement. One of his many poignant points was that Satan would dearly love to get to the preacher. He made the striking statement, “Satan wants you!” This is true of more than the preacher. He is ever after every faithful Christian. Do you remember that shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus warned an overconfident Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat” (Luke 22:31)? It is sobering to contemplate his ravenous yearning for us (cf. 1 Pet. 5:8)!
Consider that Satan wants your:
- Soul
- Influence
- Effectiveness
- Energy
- Money
- Stages of life (youth, prime, golden years)
- Heart
- Family (spouse, children, parents)
- Passion
- Time
- Worship
- Body
- Speech
- Confidence
- Assurance
- Attention
When we break down the totality of his voracious appetite for each of us individually, we can see just how viciously and actively he is pursuing us. He can work through the more obvious avenues like sexual immorality, unrighteous conduct, and overt worldliness. He is as content with more subtle channels like attitude, strife, grudge bearing, dishonesty, greed, and gossip. The Bible makes it clear that as long as he can make headway into the heart and life, he’ll take it.
The thrilling news is that he cannot make us or take us without our permission. Furthermore, Jesus empowers us to prevail through His sacrifice and resources. Hebrews 2:14 shows us that Jesus rendered him powerless against the children of God.
The greatest news of all is that God wants you! He has gone to the greatest lengths to prove it. If we will give our lives to Him, it does not matter what the Devil attempts. He will fail! Resist him with the power of God (1 Pet. 5:9; Jas. 4:7-8) and he will flee from you! Just don’t let your guard down! Keep your faith up!
The Preacher Pollard Blog 
Amen. We need more preaching on Satan!
Wish I could have gone to PTP. Traveling is a bit more challenging for me. Glad so many got to go though.
Thank you for this article. I needed to heard this especially tonight. I just got back from visiting a couple who stopped visiting our congregation. They would rather be “religious” instead of obedient. It really hit me hard and I became discouraged. That’s were your article came it. It really helped me. Thanks