Is Satan Stupid?

It came up in Sunday School during a discussion of the rift between Paul and Barnabas at the end of Acts 15. Our Sunday School teacher asked the question, "What was Satan doing, or trying to do?" What ensued was a discussion of God's sovereignty, our accountability for our actions, and how God always takes what Satan intends for evil and turns it into something good.

In the specific case at hand there is a sharp dissension between Paul and Barnabas. The implication, because his involvement is never stated explicitly, is that Satan sees the great work that has already been accomplished by the two and chooses this avenue of attack to keep it from happening again. But God takes the dissension and subsequent division and uses it to make two missionary teams and include two new men in the work. So what Satan intended for evil, God meant for good.

Now look at the last sentence in the preceding paragraph. It is similar to, but not quite the same as, the last sentence in the first paragraph. The difference is minor but important. Think about this: God never reacts. To react implies that something new or unexpected has happened. This would preclude God's omniscience. Further, the fact that something happens--anything happens--means that God knows it is best that it should be that way. If it weren't he would stop it. God always gets his way and to pretend otherwise would be a denial of his omnipotence. (If God does not always get his way, then we need to find out who does and worship him.) So if God knows all, can do all, and always acts in wisdom, then everything that happens is according to his wise purpose--everything. Does Scripture back this up? Certainly.

Daniel 4:[34] At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,

for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;
[35] all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
and he does according to his will among the host of heaven
and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay his hand
or say to him, “What have you done?”

With this in mind, the question then must be asked. Is Satan stupid? Does he not realize that everything he does contrary to God's plan winds up being used to further God's plan? Doesn't he know that he cannot defeat God? Does he think he can? Doesn't he know what his final destiny will be? Why doesn't he just give up and repent? These are some of the questions that were asked in class this morning. They were asked rhetorically. No answer was given.

I think I can shed some light. No, Satan is not stupid. Yes, he knows his destiny. Yes, he sees and realizes how God turns all Satan's works into His own glory and the furtherance of the divine plan. I don't think Satan is deluded at all. Satan is not stupid. Satan simply hates.

As humans we underestimate the depths of depravity in which we ourselves exist. We live in constant denial of what wickedness we ourselves are capable of. We see wickedness in others, but delude ourselves that we are better than that. Scripture says,

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?

If we have such a hard time seeing our own depravity, it is no wonder we have a hard time conceiving of the depths of depravity and what that causes in another. Satan is not omniscient, but he knows. He's been around a long time. He can see. He simply doesn't care. He does what he does out of a motive of hatred for God. Period.

Apart from God's grace you and I would be no different. The fallen heart and mind will not repent, not unless God does a work of grace. For Satan there is no grace. So, no, Satan cannot repent, will not repent (it is the same thing). Neither would you or I had God not granted it (Acts 11:17,18).

Realizing this should make us bow in wonder that God should be so gracious to us. We deserve no better.