The Scriptures describe Satan as active! In Job’s day, we see Satan “going to and fro in the earth, and… walking up and down in it” as he looked for a righteous man (Job 1:7, 2:2). Peter warned, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). A lioness will creep and wait patiently for her time to strike and kill the gazelle. In hunting, she is active and has a goal in mind — food for herself and her cubs. Notice that Satan is also described as active as that hungry, hunting lion! Jesus said that Satan was a murderer from the beginning and the father of lies (John 8:44). His actions continue to this day.

Notice the terminology used about Satan. Satan is not sitting somewhere on a beach relaxing. We do not get the impression that Satan says, “Today, I will take the morning off.” Look at this world. Satan has his hand in TV stations, newspapers, magazines, websites, and the radio. He is in our schools, our military, our government, and our homes. No, friends, Satan does not rest! Satan is working overtime!

Satan Works Overtime in Families. Observe the character and content of most families, and we will see Satan’s work. Divorce, abuse (verbal, physical, etc.), ungodly behavior, being lax in training the children, hypocritical behavior, and many other things are present in families due to Satan’s influence. Remember, as goes the home, so goes the nation. Therefore, we find Satan working overtime in the home, and especially in the homes of Christians, to try and lure them away from God and His will (James 1:14-15).

Satan Works Overtime in Government. When laws of men are enacted that encourage and sanction sin (ex, gambling/lotteries, legalized alcohol, abortion of babies, homosexuality, etc.), you can rest assured that Satan has been working overtime among our government’s leaders! He has been working among the nations of men ever since government began. Consider the wicked kings God names in the Old Testament (Jews and Gentiles!). Then, look into the New Testament and be reminded of the sins of Herod the Great, Agrippa I and II, Caesar, etc. In studying these leaders, we find such sins as pride, lying, stealing, murder, idolatry, sexual sins, etc. When we look at government leaders today, we see many of them falling into the same trap! These facts all bear record to the fact that Satan works overtime in the government!

Satan Works Overtime Among Individuals. The book of First John tells us that men are tempted with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). We know Satan walks around as a lion looking for his next meal (1 Pet. 5:8). Satan has not stopped yet but continues to look for the “weak,” “sickly,” and those who are unaware of their surroundings. When we see folks caught up in alcoholism, abusive behavior with others, lying, stealing, pornography, unfaithfulness to God, ignorant of His word, not praying, not living as we should in Christ, etc., we see the evidence of a people who are victims of Satan. Yes, Satan works overtime!

My observation is that many Christians are lax in their attitude toward Satan and his work. For this, we can also thank Satan. He wants folks to be unimpressed with him and make light of his tactics. If folks think Satan is a myth or a joke, he is happy with this, for he knows people will not take him seriously, and therefore will not take the salvation of their souls seriously, either (contrast Jesus’ teaching: Matt. 16:26). Solomon wrote, “Fools mock at sin” (Prov. 14:9). How Satan loves those “fools”! He also wants more people to be foolish and works overtime to ensure this happens!

Conclusion: Can we fight against Satan? Absolutely! He is powerful, but Christ has given us the weapons and armor to do battle with Satan (Eph. 6:10-17; Rom. 13:12, 14; 2 Cor. 10:3-5). Now we must use them! Perhaps we forgot that we are at war with Satan. Let us awake from sleep and be busy fighting temptation, as well as living a faithful life (1 Cor. 15:58). Look to God (not self) for strength (Phil. 4:13). Exercise your senses (Heb. 5:14). We can win (Rev. 17:14)!