Satan, the Greatest of Deceivers
Is evil the opposite of good; is Satan the opposite of God? These are only opposites as much as a shadow is the opposite of a real, three-dimensional object, a hole is the opposite of soil that fills the hole, and disease is the opposite of health. In some religions, such as Zoroastrianism, like the Ying yang symbol, good and evil, light and dark, are equal and opposite. But that is not what the Bible teaches. In the beginning there was good without evil, and in the end there will be no evil, except sequestered in the Lake of Fire. The closest opposite to Satan is not God, but God’s servant, Michael the archangel.
A Simple Description of Satan
There is much about Satan that God has not told us. But we are responsible to learn and understand what God has revealed to us about our adversary, that we may better counter him.
Justin Martyr, a Christian writing about 150 A.D., gives us concise yet thorough description of Satan: "For among us the prince of the wicked spirits is called the serpent, and Satan, and the devil, as you can learn by looking into our writings. And that he would be sent into the fire with his host, and the men who follow him, and would be punished for an endless duration, Christ foretold." First Apology of Justin Martyr ch.28 p.172
Satan and His Fall
Satan means adversary, and Satan was called Lucifer (Isa 14:12) before his fall. The meaning behind the name of Lucifer is "shining one" or "morning star". (The good angels were also called "morning stars" in Job 38:7) Satan was originally a good guardian cherub; then he had sin and was cast out. (Ezek 28:12-17; Isaiah 14:12-15). Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44; Rev 12:9; ~Acts 5:3).
Satan and His Lies
We don’t know how soon the devil fell after he was created. However 1 Jn 3:8 says the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
Isaiah 14:12-17 says why Satan fell. "How are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart' I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit." (NKJV)
Satan’s role is to be a tempter (1 Cor 7:5) and accuser (Zech 3:1; Rev 12:10). He’s a spiritual being who stalks and schemes (Job 1:9-11; 2:4; 2 Cor 2:11). Of course, just because something is spiritual, that does not always mean it is good. Satan is a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (Jn 10:10).
Satan tempts and lies, such as he did when he took the appearance of a serpent and tempted and lied to Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:14-15). In contrast to Satan, God does not lie (Num 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29) because in fact God cannot lie (Heb 6:18). After all, if reality is created by God’s Word, then almost by definition, what God says comes true. God does not tempt anyone with evil (Jms 1:13), though God tests people, especially by allowing them to be tempted. But God it good, and it is never God who tempts people with evil.
The Masquerading Appearance of Satan
Satan was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). Not only did Adam and Eve die spiritually when they ate the fruit, their physical death sentence was pronounced on them. But before that, the first murder took place when Cain murdered Abel. What weapon does Satan seem to prefer to use to murder people physically and spiritually? – a knife? – a gun? No, there is a weapon more effective in Satan’s hands than either a knife or a gun: a lie. Once Cain believed the lie, he who was an imperfect sacrificer to God turned and "Belonged to the evil one" according to 1 Jn 3:12.
After Satan got Adam and Even to sin, Satan was cursed by God, and it was told that Eve’s seed would crush his head in Gen 3:15. Satan is living on borrowed time, as though he had a terminal illness; and he knows it. So Satan is trying to take as many with him to the Lake of Fire as he can.
Since the fall Satan has deceived the nations. Whether we like it or not, he will continue to do so until he is locked up during the millennium (Rev 20:2-3,10). After the millennium he will deceive the nations again for a short time.
Satan deceives (2 Cor 11:3). Of course this applies to the lost, but even the elect can be deceived too (Mt 24:24; Mk 13:22). On one hand the elect as not the saved. Rather the elect are those who are saved plus those who will be saved in the future. For example, Paul was one of the elect even when he was Saul of Tarsus. However, I have seen and heard of (apparently) genuine Christians leaving Christianity and joining a false religion instead. Later then came to their senses and returned to Christianity. So not only can the elect be deceived, but even the saved can be deceived.
Eph 6:11 specifically says we are to stand against the wiles (lies and schemes) of the devil. That is why we must put on the full armor of God.
Satan is described as a dragon (Rev 12; 20:2-3) and a serpent (Rev 19:9; 20:2-3; Gen 3:1-15). Satan not only plants lying thoughts, but he himself can masquerade as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). Likewise his servants can masquerade as ministers of light (2 Cor 11:15).
Satan Corrupted His Wisdom
One might mistakenly think Satan is rather stupid, since he had so much chose to lose it all, and unwittingly played into God’s hands at the crucifixion. However, that view of Satan’s intelligence is far from the truth. Satan knows scripture better than any of us. He knows history better than we can know it; Satan has some ability to predict the future. Satan knows what is going on in the world. Satan has experience at his job for a very, very long time. But even in the beginning, how could this perfect, guardian cherub, be so foolish?
No Good Reason to Ever Listen to Satan
Ezekiel 28:17 teaches us an interesting concept: corrupted wisdom. It says of Satan, "Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor." (NIV). So Satan has a lot of wisdom, but it is corrupted wisdom. He can still retain a lot of knowledge in many areas, but being genuinely blind, because he chose his way, in other areas.
Satan and demons work together. Satan does not cast out Satan (Mt 12:26; Mk 3:23-26; Lk 11:18). But we don’t know if Satan’s can only observe or be in one place at a time. He certainly cannot be everywhere like God is. But if a person can hear multiple things from far away distances through phones and radio transmitters and such, who knows what Satan can do. If Satan knew every secret place a Christian was hiding from persecute`ion, Satan could influence evil people to look there and kill the Christians. Perhaps angels can prevent his actions and "jam" his observational abilities.
How would you like to learn more truth; - if it was Satan teaching you? The demons know truth, though it makes them shudder according to Jms 2:19. I would not want Satan to teach me anything. Satan probably does teach many true things, mixing it with falsehood, sometimes undetectably. From Eve to the church of Thyatira in Rev 2:24) people have been tempted to want to know the deep secrets of Satan. As for me, I have prayed that God would keep me from learning anything that He does not want me to know.
The Only Things to Say to Satan
2 Cor 2:11 says we don’t want Satan to outwit us. The simplest way to do that is not to match wits with Satan. On our own knowledge, the wisest Christian would lose every time.
Here are some thoughts early Christians had about listening to other sources of "truth".
Letter of Ignatius to the Trallians ch.6 p.68 (-107/116 A.D.) "I therefore, yet not I, but the love of Jesus Christ, entreat you that ye use Christian nourishment only, and abstain from herbage of a different kind; I mean heresy. For those [that are given to this] mix up Jesus Christ with their own poison, speaking things which are unworthy of credit, like those who administer a deadly drug in sweet wine, which he who is ignorant of does greedily take, with a fatal pleasure, leading to his own death."
Theophilus of Antioch (168-181/188 A.D.) "For even if any truth seems to have been uttered by them, it has a mixture of error. And as a deleterious drug, when mixed with honey or wine, or some other thing, makes the whole [mixture] hurtful and profitless; so also eloquence is in their case found to be labor in vain; yea, rather an injurious thing to those who credit it." Theophilus to Autolycus book 2 ch.12 p.99
Irenaeus Against Heresies (182-188 A.D.) book 1 ch.1.2 p.315 "Error, indeed, is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected. But it is craftily decked out in an attractive dress, so as, by its outward form, to make it appear to the inexperience (ridiculous as the expression may seem) more true than the truth itself. … Lest, therefore, though my neglect, some should be carried off, even as sheep are by wolves, while they perceive not the true character of these men, - because they are outwardly covered with sheep’s clothing…"
So we have nothing we want to hear from Satan.
I have heard some songs making light of Satan, but I don’t think that is so wise. Jude 9 says that when the archangel Michael was disputing with Satan about the body of Moses, even Michael would not say anything against Satan, at least not of his own authority. Rather Michael said, "The Lord rebuke you." Likewise in Zechariah in the vision when Joshua the high priest was standing, and Satan was standing next to him to accuse him, The LORD said to Satan ‘The LORD rebuke you."
Don’t Underestimate Your Adversary – Satan has Done A Lot
Besides that, the only other things we would want to say are commanding Satan to be cast out of someone, to be bound, or to free someone from oppression. It must be humiliating to demons for we of such insignificant power, speaking with such great authority, and they have to obey. But we have that great authority through Christ and His promises.
Job certainly did not underestimate the devil by the end of the book of Job, and neither should we. 1 Pet 5:8 says the devil is our adversary, and he prowls around like a roaring lion. That is not the only way the devil hunts us and the lost though. We have to watch for devil’s traps too (2 Tim 2:26; 3:7). Don’t give him a foothold by our anger (Eph 4:27).
Satan Gets Personal
Satan can perform counterfeit miracles (2 Th 2:9)
Many are oppressed by the power of the devil (Acts 10:38). Satan takes away the seed of the gospel that was sown in people (Mk 4:15). The devil sows tares instead (Mt 13:39). Those who are not children of God are called children of the devil (1 Jn 5:10). Jesus said the devil was the father of the Jews who accused Him (Jn 8:44). Paul called Elymas a child of the devil in Acts 13:4.
In fact, one reason given that Christ came was to destroy the devil’s work (1 Jn 3:8)
Satan incited David to number Israel (1 Chr 21:1).
Satan Gets Religious
One particular Jewish woman was crippled and could not straighten up for eighteen years. Jesus said she was kept bound by Satan (Lk 13:16).
Among the disciples and early church Satan was even subtle enough to use Peter to tempt Jesus. Jesus recognized this and said "get thee behind me Satan" (Mt 16:23). Satan entered into Judas Iscariot (Lk 22:3; Jn 13:27). Satan asked God to be able to sift Peter as wheat (Lk 22:31). Satan filled the heart of believers Ananias and Sapphira to lie to God (Acts 5:3). Paul had a messenger from Satan to buffer him (2 Cor 12:7). Satan hindered Paul and his companions (1 Th 2:18)
Offerings to idols, even sincere offerings, are for demons and not for God (1 Cor 10:19-21; Dt 32:17).
Discipline Courtesy of Satan
The city of Pergamum had a prominent pagan temple; Jesus said Satan had his throne there (Rev 2:13). False Jews are said to be synagogues of Satan in Rev 2:9; 3:9. Paul said that some from the church had already turned aside after Satan (1 Tim 5:15)
A person in the church had his father’s wife, so Paul ordered hi m kicked out of the church and "handed over to Satan" (1 Cor 5:1-5). The reason given is "so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord." (NIV) Likewise Paul handed over to Satan two false teachers, so they might be taught not to blaspheme (1 Tim 1:20). As one Christian said, Satan is but the unwilling servant of the Most High God.
Who has Dominion over this world?
Originally God had Adam and Eve rule over this world (Gen 1:26-28).
Satan Bound for 1,000 Years
However, after the Fall, the ground was cursed because of Adam (Gen 3:17), and now Satan is called the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4). It also says the prince [but not the king] of this world is Satan (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) and the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Eph 2:2). The whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 Jn 5:19b). When Satan tempted Jesus to rule all the kingdoms of this world in Mt 4:8-9, perhaps Satan really had that to offer.
But Jesus came and delivered us from the power of Satan (Acts 26:18). Jesus saw Satan fall as lightning from heaven (Lk 10:18). And God promises He will crush Satan under our feet (Rom 16:20).
Rev 20 tells us of the Millennium, when Satan will be bound for 1,000 years, and during that time he will not deceive the nations anymore. Afterwards he will be again set free for a short time, before finally being cast into the Lake of Fire. The eternal fire was originally prepared for the devil and his angels, and those who follow Satan will go there too (Mt 25:41).
But We Don’t Need to Fear Satan or Demons - Anymore
Lactantius (c.303-c.325 A.D.) writes, "About the same time also the prince of the devils, who is the contriver of all evils, shall be bound with chains, and shall be imprisoned during the thousand years of the heavenly rule in which righteousness shall reign in the world, so that he may contrive no evil against the people of God." The Divine Institutes book 7 ch.24 p.219
Jesus said to the church in Smyrna that the devil would put some of them in prison (Rev 2:10). Certainly the devil did not physically move, but by his lies got evil men to physically imprison them.
Who Should Flee From Whom?
Satan and demons can possess unbelievers, but not believers. However, Satan can tempt anyone, and Satan can oppress both believers and unbelievers. But greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 Jn 4:4) Rev 2:7b; 11b; 17b, 26a; 3:5a; 12a; 21a show that we are not just to survive here as Christians, or even to thrive in own small communities, bur rather that we are to overcome.
Don’t fear those who can kill the body (Mt 10:24-28). Because whatever Satan or evil people can do to us, nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even demons (Rom 8:33-39).
Clement of Alexandria (193-217/220 A.D.) speaks of the apostolic injunction to flee from "the prince of the power of the air" Exhortation to the Heathen ch.1 p.173. But Clement of Alexandria is not being Biblical here. Rather the Bible says to resist the devil and he will flee from you (Jms 4:7). 1 Pet 5:9 says we are to resist the devil and stand firm in our faith. However, we are to flee temptation, especially sexual immorality (1Cor 6:18, 2 Tim 2:22; Prov 5:8), idolatry (1 Cor 10:14), and love of money (1 Tim 6:9-11). Jesus commanded Satan to flee from Him (Mt 4:10) and we should too.
Summary
Satan is real, and Satan is evil, but Satan is also very subtle. People often serve Satan’s purposes without even being aware of it. But whatever Satan can throw at us, with God we can overcome the world.
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