The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by David Lee of Malaysia, from the tape GC 1301-N, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 16."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1981. All Rights Reserved.

Questioner

In light of the fact that once you’re saved, Jesus never leaves you, and since the death of Christ, if a Christian willfully sins, then is it that God punishes the sin or in his falling away from the Lord does he leave himself open for Satan to attack. Because, that question, the argument was "does God punish" or "does Satan punish"?

John MacArthur's Answer

Both. You see in 1 Corinthians it says we do not want Satan to take advantage of us. And so a few fall into vulnerability: if you have a lack of a forgiving heart, 1 Corinthians, you give Satan an advantage, and he’ll move in. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against what? Principalities and power. If you don’t have your armor on, Satan will get you. That’s one side of it. Then you go into Hebrew 12 and you find that whom the Lord loves He chastens. Now the point is that sometimes the Lord uses Satan, 1 Corinthians 5, "God will turn them over to Satan," that they may learn not to blaspheme. So God use very often Satan as His agent in His chastening.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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