It is well to emphasize that Satan is not possessed of powers beyond creature range, though in his case his wonderful powers as " the covering cherub " have been sadly perverted to evil ends. Satan is neither omnipotent, omniscient, nor omnipresent. People often say lightly, The Devil tempted me. Did he? Possibly he did through his agents, but the Devil can only be in one place at once. Doubtless as king of the bottomless pit, his time must be largely taken with stratagems and organizing his forces for evil. His kingdom is highly organized in deadly opposition to all that is of God and of Christ in this world.
The Apostle John bids us try the spirits. The test is, Do they believe that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh? If they fail in this test, they are not of God.
" Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them [evil spiritual beings]: because greater is He that is in you [the indwelling Holy Spirit], than he that is in the world [Satan] (1 John 4:44Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)).
This is indeed heartening reading. The feeblest youngest believer, indwelt by the Spirit of God, has a power within him infinitely greater than that of the evil one. The might of the Holy Spirit is the power of God, infinite, resourceful, omnipotent. Christians are safe as they yield themselves to the Holy Spirit of God. Satan's wiles may be subtle, but God is behind everything, and the Christian has a wonderful resource in prayer.