A 5th Grader's Big Question
Why Is Satan Still Around If Jesus Already Won?
During a visit to Anchor Lutheran School, a retired pastor was asked a profound theological question by a fifth-grade class:
If Christ defeated Satan on the cross, why is Satan still around causing chaos and leading people to sin?
It’s the kind of question that sounds simple at first—but quickly becomes one of the deepest questions in Christian theology. It’s a question many adults struggle to answer clearly. And yet, here it was, coming from a classroom of thoughtful fifth graders.
As the pastor reflected, it’s the kind of question children often get redirected on:
“Ask your parents.”
“Ask your teacher.”
“Ask your pastor.”
“Read your Bible.”
And even after doing all that, the answer may still feel incomplete.
This question forces us to wrestle with a spiritual paradox.
The Paradox: If God Knows Everything, Why Allow This?
Christians believe that God is all-knowing. He knew Adam and Eve would face temptation. He knew humanity would fall short. He knew Satan would attack, deceive, and try to lead people away from truth.
So why allow it?
Some explanations involve free will. God created humanity with the ability to choose. Adam and Eve could have rejected Satan’s temptation—but they didn’t. That decision introduced sin into the world.
We also know from Scripture that Satan and his angels rebelled against God. They were cast out of heaven after choosing to oppose Him. Satan essentially wanted to be on a different “team.”
But the story doesn’t end there.
The Cross: What Looked Like Victory Was Defeat
When Jesus was crucified, Satan may have believed he had finally won. The Son of God was nailed to a cross. It appeared to be defeat.
But the cross was not Satan’s triumph—it was his undoing.
Jesus took upon Himself:
Humanity’s sin
Humanity’s failures
Humanity’s brokenness
Through His death and resurrection, Christ won the war.
Not just a battle—the war.
Yet Satan continues to rage.
Why Does Satan Keep Fighting?
Even after defeat, Satan continues his rebellion. Why?
An analogy helps explain it.
Imagine two sports teams. One team loses badly early in the season. They get another chance—and lose again. Still, they insist: “Next time we’ll win.”
Satan lost in heaven.
He lost at the cross.
He lost when Christ rose from the dead.
Yet he continues trying to recruit followers, perhaps believing that if he gathers enough support, he can somehow challenge God again.
But Scripture assures believers of one unchanging truth:
God always wins.
Even when it doesn’t look like it.
When It Doesn’t Feel Like God Is Winning
There are times when life feels like defeat. Suffering, injustice, loss, temptation—it can seem like chaos is prevailing.
The story of Book of Job speaks directly to this tension.
God allowed Satan to take nearly everything from Job—his possessions, his health, even his children. Job’s wife told him to “curse God and die.”
But Job refused to give up. He kept asking questions. He wanted an audience with God Himself.
When God finally responded, He didn’t give Job a detailed explanation. Instead, He asked:
Who created the world?
Who laid the earth’s foundations?
Who governs the universe?
Job realized something profound:
There are questions only God can answer.
And that realization brought humility and trust.
The Mystery We May Never Fully Solve
The truth is, we may never completely understand on this side of eternity why Satan is still permitted to roam and tempt.
But we do know this:
God desires us to know His love.
God offers forgiveness through Christ.
God extends grace and mercy.
God promises eternal life with Him.
Satan’s presence is temporary.
Christ’s victory is permanent.
Living in the “Already Won, Not Yet Finished” Reality
The Christian life exists in a tension:
The war has been won.
The final chapter has not yet fully unfolded.
Believers live in that space—trusting in Christ’s finished work while enduring the ongoing struggle of temptation and spiritual battle.
The answer to the fifth graders’ question may not be perfectly satisfying in every detail. But it leads to a powerful conclusion:
We can trust Jesus.
We can serve Him.
And we can look forward to eternity with Him.
A Note of Encouragement
The visit to Anchor Lutheran School also highlighted something encouraging: growth and ministry. The school has expanded significantly over the past four years, growing from 80 students to over 300 and continuing through high school.
The pastor also mentioned support for Lutheran Indian Ministries, encouraging generosity toward efforts that share faith and serve communities.
Final Thought
The question from a group of fifth graders reminds us that faith is not afraid of hard questions.
Even when we don’t fully understand why Satan still causes chaos, we stand on this certainty:
God wins. Christ has already secured the victory.
