As much as we attempt to explain away or ignore Satan, he’s a person. And he’s seeking to destroy those who identify with Christ.
In The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan depicts the unyielding attacks Satan launches on those who follow Jesus through the character of Apollyon. Derek Thomas, senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C., and professor of systematic and practical theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, joined us to talk about Apollyon on the page and Satan in our everyday lives.
Christian encounters Apollyon shortly after leaving the hospitable mistresses of the Palace Beautiful who fed and armed him for his journey. He travels down into the Valley of Humiliation, where Apollyon, a monster described as “hideous to behold,” awaits.
He was clothed with scales like a fish (and they are his pride); he had wings like a dragon, feet like a bear, and out of his belly came fire and smoke; and his mouth was as the mouth of a lion.
Apollyon, a biblical name for Satan that is translated “Destroyer,” advances on Christian with possessive indignation.
Apollyon: By this I perceive thou art one of my subjects, for all that country is mine, and I am the prince and god of it. How is it then that thou hast run away from thy King? Were it not that I hope thou mayest do me more service, I would strike thee now at one blow to the ground.
Christian: I was born indeed in your dominions, but your service was hard, and your wages such as a man could not live on, “for the wages of sin is death”; therefore when I was come to years, I did as other considerate persons do—look out, if perhaps I might mend myself.
Apollyon refuses to “lightly lose his subjects,” and he launches a vicious attack. As Christian attempts to stand fast in his pursuit of the Celestial City, Apollyon strikes—armed with accusation, shame, and despair.
But when Apollyon hurls condemnation, Christian parries with self-awareness and strength.
All this is true, and much more which thou hast left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honor is merciful, and ready to forgive.
Apollyon’s—Satan’s—accusations expose an underlying belief that we can curry favor with God, earn his acceptance, based on our performance. We act as though by accomplishing more and being better, God will be pleased with us, and when we fail, we believe he is disappointed.
We fancy ourselves on a mission for God as we carry out our tasks. Shouldn’t we be rewarded then—shouldn’t this be when things go well? So very often, though, this is when life becomes brutally hard, and we find ourselves in a Valley of Humiliation staring down Apollyon. In the face of attack, Christian’s response models the need to preach the gospel to ourselves.
“Every day,” Thomas emphasizes. “I need to do it first thing in the morning and remind myself—I’ve got nothing in my hands. I don’t bring my devotional time. I don’t bring how many chapters of the Bible I’ve read. I don’t bring my success in evangelism. I simply cling to the cross.”
Our best defenses do not lie in obsessing over daily habits, word choices, or even spiritual disciplines, deeply important as they may be. Rather, we render ourselves more difficult targets for Apollyon when we lean our full weight on the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that when Satan comes close, we do not crumble beneath the weight of his accusations.
The devil knows our weaknesses, and he is more than willing to exploit them. Eager to take advantage of the knowledge he has about us, Satan accuses us continually—making our character seem questionable and our obedience seem half-hearted. His arsenal of tools and opportunities grow every day.
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Source: Christianity Today
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