Does Satan Cause All of Our Adversity?

JOB 16:11 

         The quick answer is, “No.

      While the Book of Job makes it obvious that the devil can and does afflict us, some of our adversity comes simply because we live in a fallen world.  All people believers and nonbelievers alike suffer adversity not “caused” by anything we or others have done.  In Luke 13:1-5, Jesus declared that victims of two separate local tragedies died not because they had sinned worse than anyone else in Jerusalem, but simply because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time.  In a fallen world, any of us could die at any time and that is why we must always be ready to stand before God.

     Adversity can also come into our lives as a result of personal sin.  Each sin we commit carries some consequence, a natural outflow of adversity tailored to the nature of our disobedience.  In cases like this, we can’t blame God, the devil, or others.  We must follow David’s example and say, “I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.  Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight” (Ps. 51:3, 4).

     Let’s say that I hear a juicy rumor and choose to gossip about it.  Then imagine that the “news” turns out to be completely untrue. The result? No one trusts me anymore. I am rightly seen as a malicious gossip.  I have destroyed my public witness.  I can’t blame anyone else for what happened; it was my own fault!

     Finally, some adversity comes straight from almighty God.  We don’t like to think about this one, but let’s be clear: God is ultimately concerned with our spiritual growth, not with our happiness or momentary pleasures.  He always has the big picture in mind whenever He allows or sends adversity into our lives.  So David wrote, “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me (Ps. 119:75).

     Unfortunately, adversity is often the only thing that will get our attention.  I once heard a fine teacher explain it this way: God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in adversity.  If God doesn’t get our attention through His blessings or by stinging our conscience, then He will certainly put us flat on our backs in adversity so that we can get the message!

Stanley, Charles F. The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible. Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Life Lessons on Facing Adversity