THE WORK OF SATAN’S WANDERING

The Bible teaches us that one of Satan’s defining characteristics is “wandering around.” This “wandering” is not just aimless or casual; it is a deliberate action that reveals Satan’s nature. The act of wandering, in biblical terms, speaks of a restless, insidious searching seeking to devour and destroy. Satan’s wandering isn’t motivated by curiosity alone, but by a desire to capture and enslave. Wherever he roams, if he finds an opportunity, he seizes it to fulfill his own destructive purposes. This same restless, predatory behavior is reflected in the name Mzungu (a term historically used for Europeans), which comes from the word for “wandering.” In colonial times, Europeans would travel across continents particularly Africa in search of resources to enrich their own nations. Upon discovering land full of wealth, they would often stay, exploit the people, and take control.

Satan’s actions are similar. His success depends on his constant roaming, seeking those whom he can entrap and destroy. He knows that without wandering, he cannot build his kingdom of darkness. As we see in the Book of Job, when the angels of God presented themselves before Him, Satan was also present. God asked him where he had come from:

Job 1:7 (NIV)

“The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’
Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.'”

Notice that Satan says he has been “roaming throughout the earth.” This indicates a global scope Satan is not confined to a single place but is actively moving through every institution, culture, organization, and even religion. This is why Satan can even appear in the midst of the church. His goal is not to explore or travel but to find opportunities to corrupt, destroy, and capture. He is always looking for signs of spiritual growth or success that he can hinder, distort, or destroy.

To understand the extent of Satan’s hatred and his will to destroy, consider what happened to Job after God withdrew His protective hedge. Job 1:9-12 reveals that Satan’s desire to harm Job was not limited to his possessions, but extended to his very life:

Job 1:9-12 (NIV)

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”

With God’s permission, Satan unleashed a series of attacks. First, a lightning storm struck, killing Job’s livestock, and then enemy raiders attacked, taking all his animals. Satan wasn’t content with this; he also caused the death of Job’s children and even sent a violent wind to destroy Job’s house. All of these are acts of Satan’s wandering his roaming in search of someone to destroy. Similarly, Satan could engineer such disasters in your life if you are outside of God’s protection.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV) warns believers about Satan’s roaming:

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

Peter uses the imagery of a “roaring lion” to describe Satan’s relentless pursuit. He prowls, waiting for an opportunity to strike. This highlights Satan’s predatory nature and his constant vigilance in seeking out those who are vulnerable those who are not firmly grounded in faith. The key to resisting Satan is standing firm in the faith, recognizing that, though he roams, we are not alone in our struggles. Believers worldwide are enduring similar attacks, but through faith, they can overcome.

Satan’s aim is not just to harm or inconvenience but to utterly destroy. If you are outside of God’s protection if you have not received salvation through Christ Satan has free rein to wreak havoc in your life. Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV) makes it clear that spiritual warfare is real and believers must arm themselves:

Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

This passage shows that the battle is not physical but spiritual. Satan and his forces work tirelessly against God’s people. They are invisible yet very real, and their goal is to destroy believers through deception, temptation, and destruction.

Satan’s ultimate desire is to see people die in their sins, to lead them to eternal separation from God in hell. That’s why he works so diligently to prevent people from coming to faith in Jesus Christ. If you are outside of salvation, Satan wants to keep you there. John 10:10 (NIV) highlights Satan’s intention:

John 10:10 (NIV)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Jesus contrasts His own mission with Satan’s. While Satan seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus came to offer life abundant life through faith in Him.

The Path to Salvation and Protection

If you are reading this and recognize that you are outside of God’s protection, the Bible offers a clear path to salvation. First, you must repent turning away from your sins and acknowledging Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Acts 2:38 (NIV) speaks to the necessity of repentance and baptism:

Acts 2:38 (NIV)

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”

Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for your sins; it involves a complete turning away from sin and towards Christ. Baptism is the outward sign of this inward transformation, marking the moment when you publicly declare your faith in Jesus Christ and receive the forgiveness of sins. Baptism should be done by immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ, as established in the Great Commission:

Matthew 28:19 (NIV)

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Through baptism, you identify with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, and it serves as a powerful means of declaring your allegiance to Christ. The Holy Spirit will then empower you to stand firm against Satan’s attacks, offering protection against the enemy’s schemes.

Romans 8:11 (NIV) promises:

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

When you receive the Holy Spirit, you gain the power to resist temptation, the ability to discern truth, and the protection of God’s presence in your life. The Holy Spirit is your guarantee of eternal life and victory over the enemy.

So, if you have not yet given your life to Christ, today is the day. Repent, accept Jesus as your Savior, and be baptized to complete your salvation. When you do, you will be protected by God’s power, and Satan will have no hold over you.

Revelation 12:11 (NIV) declares:

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

As believers in Christ, we overcome Satan by the blood of Jesus, through our testimony, and by standing firm in our faith until the very end.

May the Lord bless you

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