The Devil Has Limits, but God Has No Limits

As we prepare for whatever God has ahead of us, there is a truth we need to understand: the devil has limits. But God does not.

As we continue our Preparing for Greater Works series, we have talked about seeking the Lord early, seeking Him continually, and remaining willing to submit and learn even when we don’t fully understand.

That doesn’t mean we won’t face difficulties. It doesn’t mean we won’t experience spiritual attacks. It doesn’t mean life will always go the way we planned.

But it does mean that the enemy is not all-powerful. He is not limitless. He is not God.

And he can only go so far.

The Devil Has Limits: The Enemy Has an “As Far As”

One of the Scriptures that has always encouraged me is Judges 6:3–4:

“So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey.”

That phrase strengthens my confidence: as far as Gaza.

The Midianites could come. They could attack. They could destroy.

But there was an “as far as.”

There was a limit. And your enemy has an “as far as,” too.

He may attack your peace, but he can only go so far. He may attempt to discourage you, but he can only go so far. He may try to intimidate you, distract you, or convince you to give up.

But he can only go so far.

The devil is powerful—but he is not all-powerful. He has limits.

God does not.

The Devil Has Limits: It Shall Not Come Near You

Psalm 91:7 says: “A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.”

We often read that verse in the context of physical danger, and certainly, it can bring comfort when we are facing frightening circumstances. But the idea of falling can also include being overwhelmed or lost.

Isn’t that something we understand?

Perhaps ten thousand people around you are overwhelmed by their circumstances. Perhaps everyone around you feels lost because they don’t know where to turn.

Maybe the economy shifts. A company closes. A ministry experiences a difficult season. A relationship changes. The people around you are overwhelmed because the source they depended upon has disappeared.

But you have a different Source. Your Source was never the job. Your Source was never the ministry. Your Source was never the economy.

Your Source is the Lord.

That doesn’t mean you won’t experience difficulty. It means you are not left without hope.

It means that when everything around you begins to shake, you know where to turn.

The Devil Has Limits: But Don’t Depend on the “As Far As”

Now, I want to add an important caution: don’t depend on the “as far as.”

Depend on the Holy Spirit.

We cannot take God’s protection for granted while neglecting our relationship with Him. We cannot assume that because the enemy has limits, we can live however we want and remain spiritually healthy.

Without continual dependence upon the Holy Spirit and continued study of God’s Word, we can become vulnerable to the same discouragement, fear, confusion, and hopelessness that overwhelm those around us.

The enemy has limits.

But we still need to remain close to God.

This brings us back to everything we have talked about so far in this series. Seek the Lord early. Seek Him continually. Remain humble. Stay teachable. Now: depend on the Holy Spirit.

Preparation for greater works doesn’t happen accidentally. It happens as we remain connected to the One who prepares us.

The Devil Has Limits Meets The God Who Has No Limits

Now let’s look at the other side of this truth: the enemy has limits, but God has no limits.

Matthew 19:26 says: “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

Whatever you need, God is able. Whatever circumstance you face, God is not intimidated. Whatever He is preparing you for, He already understands what will be required. Nothing is impossible with the Lord.

That doesn’t mean God promises to do everything we want Him to do exactly the way we want Him to do it. It means that there is no circumstance beyond His power.

There is no problem too complicated for His wisdom. There is no situation beyond His reach. There is no person too far gone for His grace. There is no obstacle too great for Him.

God has no limits.

The Devil Has Limits: Stop Measuring God by the Size of the Problem

Sometimes we look at our circumstances and unconsciously begin measuring God by the size of the problem. The bigger the problem becomes, the smaller our confidence becomes.

But what if we reversed that?

What if instead of measuring God by our circumstances, we measured our circumstances by the greatness of our God?

The problem may be bigger than you. It may be bigger than your resources. It may be bigger than your experience. But it is not bigger than God.

That is the difference. Your limitations do not limit Him. Your lack of resources does not limit Him. Your lack of understanding does not limit Him. Your circumstances do not limit Him.

Nothing is impossible with the Lord.

The Devil Has Limits: A Word for Whatever Is Ahead

You may not know what God is preparing you for. You may not understand what is coming next. You may feel inadequate for the assignment in front of you.

But God is not asking you to become limitless. He is asking you to remain dependent upon the One who is.

You don’t have to be strong enough for everything. You don’t have to know everything. You don’t have to have every resource you might need. You simply need to stay connected to the Lord.

The enemy has limits.

But God does not.

Whatever you are facing today, there is an “as far as.” Whatever you are being prepared for tomorrow, nothing is impossible with God.

The Devil Has Limits: Reflection

Take a moment and ask yourself:

Where have I allowed the size of my circumstances to become bigger in my mind than the greatness of God?

Am I depending on the limits of the enemy—or am I depending on the limitless power of God?

Where do I need to remember that my Source is the Lord?

What would change if I truly believed that nothing is impossible with God?

The enemy may have limits. Your circumstances may have limits. Your own abilities may have limits.

But God has no limits.

When we remain close to Him, we don’t have to be limited by what we can see.

The Devil Has Limits: Let’s Continue the Conversation

This is Part Four of our Preparing for Greater Works series. So far, we have talked about seeking the Lord early, seeking Him continually, and remaining humble and teachable. Now we are learning to understand the limits of the enemy—and the limitless nature of God.

I hope you’ll join me again on Thursday as we continue this conversation on the Connect Podcast. Sometimes hearing a message in a different format gives us an opportunity to reflect on it in a new way, and I’d love to spend a little more time exploring this topic with you there.

If you’re looking for additional encouragement and practical resources for ministry and your walk with Christ, take a few minutes to explore Connect Mentoring Network. You’ll find resources created to meet you wherever you are in your journey—whether you’re developing as a leader, navigating a season of ministry, or simply wanting to grow deeper in your relationship with the Lord.

Don’t forget to check back here next week as we move into the final part of our Preparing for Greater Works series. There is still more ahead—and I’m grateful we’re continuing the journey together!