Good question Dynamo. Of course, God doesn't have any natural Adversaries that could possibly do anything outside what God knew would happen or intended or caused to happen. However, there is wisdom in creating an Adversary such as Satan and hopefully, I can explain truthfully as to how creating an Adversary for or against Christ is beneficial and good. I'm obligated to tell you that Ray has already covered all of this. But since you asked me a legit question about something I said, I don't want to cop-out on you. So, I'll simply be explaining in my words how I understand Ray's teaching on this subject. However, maybe this is good for me in that it opens me up to correction which would lead me to a better understanding. I learn new things all the time from everyone here, and I'm as much a student of Christ as anyone. Also, if my words seem disjointed, it may be the thryoid meds I'm on. The meds tend to give me a fair bit of brain fog.
Remember when Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness for the express purpose of being tempted by the Devil?
Mat 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.
Mat 4:2 After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry.
As an Adversary, (or opponent as the Greek calls it), one of Satan's “duties” was to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. Obviously, Satan failed at getting Jesus to succumb to sin. It makes Satan sound like a terrible opponent, doesn't it? Especially considering Jesus was never meant to sin. But does that mean it was easy for Jesus to overcome all of Satan's temptations? The trials, temptations, afflictions, and tribulation Jesus endured were hard for Him as they are for us, even harder for Him, I imagine. Furthermore, the things Jesus endured have become our judgments, to make us perfect like He is perfect. And so, Jesus endured these things, so He could sympathize with our weaknesses to help us in our time of need.
Heb 4:14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens--Jesus the Son of God--let us hold fast to the confession.
Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
Equally important is the fact that Jesus overcame evil WITHOUT SINNING, thereby destroying the works of Satan. Guess what? Jesus also made it possible for us to do the same thing.
1Jn 4:17…because as he is, so are we in this world.
The many that Satan does succeed in getting to sin, the very sin of the world, is for His Elect's benefit.
1Jn 3:9 Everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because His seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.
1Jn 3:10 This is how God's children--and the Devil's children--are made evident. Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially (not exclusively) the one who does not love his brother.
1Jn 3:11 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another,
1Jn 3:12 unlike Cain, who was of the EVIL ONE and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's were righteous.
You begin to see how the role of Satan the Adversary is very beneficial to not only opposing Jesus and everything Jesus stands for, but to those that follow Him. Everything God created always has a good and beneficial purpose, even His enemies.
1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.
1Jn 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
So, even though our so-called brother hates us and murders us with that same hate, we have to love him by doing good to him, thereby overcoming and destroying the works of the Adversary in our lives. In this way, we are becoming sons of the Most High, just as Jesus is the Son of the Most High.
Luk 6:35 But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil.
Luk 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Paul, an Apostle of Christ, is saying the same thing.
Rom 12:19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath [Greek: desire]. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. Rom 12:20 But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.
Rom 12:21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
Your righteous INWARD act of love toward your hate filled Satan influenced brother, will not only save you now, but it will save the world with a fierce, passionate, heart and mind transforming HOLY fiery love in a “lake” of safety and security. And they will feel a heartfelt shame when they see when they see you give love so graciously despite of all their hate.
Psa 6:10 All my enemies will be ashamed and shake with terror; they will turn back and suddenly be disgraced.
Just like Jesus' righteous act toward you and me. When we were former enemies of Christ, and of the cross, where Jesus laid down His life for us to also rescue you and me from Satan's evil works of hate and sin and murder and death. I remember the shame I felt when I realized Jesus loved me by graciously dying for me, dying because of me, and then the realization that He died with me as a mortal Himself. None of this would be possible without Jesus first creating an evil Adversary and his children who sought to murder Him, which brought out the best in our Lord. Talk about truly inspiring, and talk about being worthy of a name above every name! I can't imagine the utter shame I will feel if I were to fail at loving my enemies just like Jesus did, knowing what I know now about how the WAY Jesus loves me. It truly would have been better to not have known any of this.
I know this is probably way more than you asked for Dynamo, so please forgive me for being so long-winded. I do hope I've answered your question. But I also want Mzantsi to know that I'm merely trying to feed his hunger, and quench his thirst, where with I too was fed in my hunger and given something to drink in my thirst. Truth be told, I need Jesus every day, all day because I can't overcome my sin without Him. This has been made painfully evident to me that without His nourishing life – giving body, I will die a second time in unfathomable age abiding shame and regret without having loved Him back. What better way to love Jesus, what better way to overcome my thirst and hunger, than by faithfully obeying Jesus and earnestly helping another in need. I can't, I better not have any ill will towards Mzantsi just because he said some words on the internet.
Whether Mzantsi does or whether he doesn't receive me or you or anyone here in Jesus' name, while it is still called today, Jesus will eventually prove His love for him. He will do so by giving His life to him in the most spectacular fashion imaginable.