God allowed demons to mislead the false prophets. God used demonic deception of the false prophets. He allowed it because they couldn’t do it without His permission (1 Kings 22:19-23) in order to use the results for His purpose. When the king followed the Satan-inspired laws of his prophets he was destroyed, which is what God wanted (1 Kings 22:1-28).
LESSON FOR TODAY: When we are able to see behind the scenes we learn that God is using Satan’s evil for His good (Romans 8:28). He allowed a demon of lying and deception to cause false prophets to give a wrong message to Ahab, thus luring him to God’s judgment of death on him (1 Kings 22:19-23). God uses all things for His plan and purpose (Romans 8:28). (See notes with Job for more about this.) Sometimes it is hard to understand why God doesn’t answer or deliver, why He allows the enemy to work as he does. Always remember God is totally in control. He allows man a free will choice but ultimately uses all that happens for His final purpose.
Even though it seemed like Satan’s kingdom was advancing and defeating God’s kingdom, God foretold their ultimate defeat several times. First, God decreed through Isaiah that Satan would be brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit (Isaiah 14:12-20). Next, God says Satan and his forces will be bound in a dungeon, shut up in prison for many days (consigned to hades for the Millennium, Isaiah 24:21-23). Third, God promises (Isaiah 27:1) that the serpent or dragon (Satan, Revelation 12:7-12) will be defeated by the sword of God’s Word (Revelation 19:15). Through Ezekiel God says Satan will be cast from heaven to earth by God’s power (Ezekiel 28:11-19).
LESSON FOR US: While Satan is aware of the fate that awaits him, it just causes him to act with more fury as the end comes closer. He even has deceived many of his demons into thinking their cause will one day be victorious. A good way of defeating them when attacked is to read these passages and others in Revelation (Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10; etc.) about their coming defeat, about God’s power over them (I John 4:4). Use God’s Word to make sure they know they are defeated by God’s power and must submit to His authority. It is good for us to remember that God is the most powerful One and ultimate victor in our daily battles as well.
(If I can answer questions or offer personal counsel, or if you would like a free copy of my Spiritual Warfare Handbook, email me at Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org or download it from http://sw.christiantrainingonline.org/. My next book, Spiritual Warfare in the Bible, which is a more advanced treatment of spiritual warfare, is also available there for free.)