There was one interesting point Kovacs mentioned. He noted that Satan sold something that was part of his sin in heaven. Kovacs’ proposition is that Satan’s “dishonest trade” was perhaps an idea—rebellion against God. This is an interesting possibility. I have not noticed this reference before, so I am going to have to give some thought and looking into the Scriptures before I make my own conclusion.

There was one other thing Kovacs mentioned that I felt needed some clarification. He wrote on page 166, “He [Satan] and other rebellious angels have the ability to inhabit the minds of people on Earth.” Do I also believe that Satan can inhabit the minds of people on earth? Yes, but I don’t believe he has the ability to inhabit the mind of any person he wishes. I don’t think Satan has the ability to inhabit the minds of those who are faithful and obedient believers in God.

I think Kovacs missed this when he wrote on page 171, “God then granted Satan permission to test Job, allowing the devil to strike the man with a series of personal calamities that made his life miserable.” In fact, in the interchange between Satan and God concerning Job, we read: “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?” Satan recognized that God had prevented him from afflicting Job.

Jesus also pointed out this fact in Matthew 12 when he said that in order to rob a strong man you first had to tie him up. He also said that he guards his sheep and that no one snatches them out of his hand (John 10).

The Bible, I think, makes it clear that Satan doesn’t just willy-nilly inhabit people’s minds. I personally see in the Scriptures that he isn’t even able to willy-nilly inhabit the minds of people who are not faithful and obedient believers in God.

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