The Accuser of the Brethren

Satan is called the “Accuser of the Brethren. “We see him doing this in the story of faithful Job. One Day Satan appeared before God in Heaven and suggested that Job was righteous only because God had blessed him so much. God gave Satan permission to take away these blessings. Satan did his worst. Job’s ten children were killed. His possessions were destroyed or stolen. His body was covered with painful boils. His wife suggested,” Curse God and die!” Yet in all this Job did not sin in speaking against God. He even said,” Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15a) Job did not know that he was being an example of loyalty to God. But he trusted God. God blessed him later with more children and more abundance than he previously had.

Remember: God knows good out of every circumstance if you belong to Him. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He fore-knew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:28,29). Trials in life can make more like Christ, and that is good!

Remember also: God never accuses you. He leads you to repentance, removes sin from you, and defends you. We see this in a vision which the prophet Zechariah had of Joshua, the high priest. “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the LORD said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan!... Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’” (Zechariah 3:1,2)

Joshua’s filthy garments were replaced with clean clothes. After your sins are removed, if you walk God’s ways, God has a plan for you as He had for Joshua. You have a place to serve Him. Don’t let the “accuser of the brethren or well-meaning people make you feel unworthy because of past sins. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He has given you His own righteousness.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us who can be against us? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:32,33,34)

God is FOR you. He sent His Son to die for YOU. He does not condemn you. Jesus is even praying for you right now! Don’t let ANYONE defeat you by bringing up past sins which have been confessed and forgiven. “An godly man digs up evil” (Proverbs 16:27a).”

As you live your new life in Christ, remember that God does not want you to sin. But if you do, the SPIRIT OF Christ will tenderly and clearly bring it to your attention. Humble yourself to confess it to Him. “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1b). “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? . . .He delights in mercy” (Micah 7:18).

Satan will try to accuse you. People who know little of grace of God will also accuse you. But when we confess our sins and turn from them, God forgives us-not because we are righteous, but because the blood of Jesus cleanses from all unrighteous (1 John 1:7,9)!