What Does the Bible Say about Satan?

Satan desires to keep men under his rule, protect his kingdom, and assault God.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who was a practicing medical doctor before the Lord called him into pastoral ministry, wrote, “I find more and more in my pastoral experience, as I am privileged to interview people and to help them in their personal fight of faith and in their personal problems, that the essence of the trouble so frequently is that such people have not realized the powers that are set against them. So often I have to confront people who have been sent to a psychologist, a psychoanalyst, or somebody like that, and whose problem very frequently is simply that they have, without realizing it, been besieged and attacked by the devil.” He further emphasizes that the key to healing lies in assisting individuals in recognizing the spiritual battle they are involved in and equipping them to combat it using spiritual weapons.

However, a 2009 Barna study showed that sixty-seven percent of professing Christians in the U.S. either disbelieve in Satan or are uncertain of his existence. Only twenty-six percent strongly disagreed that Satan is merely a symbol of evil. Yet Scripture is clear we have a real enemy who is determined to do what he can to destroy us and assault God’s honor and glory. Christians are vulnerable to Satan's attacks if they don't know about him, so we should learn what the Bible says.

The biblical reality is that there is a being opposed to God and His people. This being is malevolent and determined to bring maximum destruction on God’s creation. We must reckon with this reality and understand what Scripture teaches us about him. 

As we see from Scripture, Satan has names and titles.

The most obvious of these names is Satan, which comes from a Hebrew word meaning "accuser" or "adversary." Occasionally it just means an adversary (1 Samuel 29:4), but it also refers to a person with this name (Job 1-2, 1 Chronicles 21:1, Zechariah 3:1). The term shows up in all four Gospels and Acts, the letters of Paul, and Revelation. 

Another popular name for Satan is "the devil," which means "slanderer" or "adversary." Other titles include the tempter (Matthew 4:3), Beelzebul/Beelzebub (Matthew 12:24), the enemy (Matthew 13:39), Belial (2 Corinthians 6:15), the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), the power of darkness (Luke 22:53), the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), the adversary (1 Peter 5:8), a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), deceiver (Revelation 12:9), dragon (Revelation 12:3), the ancient serpent (Revelation 20:2), the father of lies (John 8:44), the murderer (John 8:44), the accuser (Revelation 12:10), Apollyon (Revelation 9:11), Abaddon (Revelation 9:11), and the evil one (1 John 2:13). These names indicate that Satan is dangerous and vile. 

We also see Satan’s origin from Scripture.

The Bible never paints Satan as eternal or self-existent. He has always been under God’s authority, such as in Job’s trials or in the request to sift Peter, indicating that he is a created being. Yet it seems clear Satan was good when God created him (1 Timothy 3:6). It is also obvious that Satan had fallen when he was tempting Eve, so he has existed a long time (Genesis 3). Beyond these facts, it is difficult to say anything with certainty about the devil’s origin.

There are two passages in Scripture often used to reference Satan’s fall. The first is in Ezekiel, where the person in question is called the cherub that covers, which indicates some role of leading God’s greatest angels in worship (Ezekiel 28:11-19). He was in the garden of God, but then unrighteousness was found in him, and he was cast out of the Lord’s presence. Judgment would be the ultimate end for this king of Tyre. This reference can go beyond the king of Tyre to the one who inspired his prideful arrogance, Satan himself. 

The second passage is in the book of Isaiah, where the name Lucifer is found in some translations—star of the morning (Isaiah 14:12-14). If this name refers to Satan as the one behind the king of Babylon, then it agrees with the apostle Paul that Satan fell due to conceit and pride. When we look at how Satan influences secular governments in the world, it seems there are echoes of the devil’s origin and fall in these texts.

This understanding does not answer the questions of how Satan could fall, why he would become conceited and reject God, or where evil comes from. Ultimately, the Bible does not answer those kinds of questions conclusively. It assumes that evil exists, that God is good, and that ultimately, the Lord will destroy it in a new creation. 

Scripture also shows us Satan’s character, attributes, and kingdom. 

Satan’s character is evil. He always seeks to overthrow the Lord and destroy whatever He is doing and has made. The devil cannot do what pleases God; his will is completely and irrevocably bound by sin. That means that, unlike sinful humans, Satan is unredeemable. We see Satan’s evil most clearly in his direct conflict with Jesus Himself. 

The devil has defined attributes. He is not eternal but a created being. He is finite, which means he is not omnipresent (temptation of Jesus), omniscient (slaughter of the children in Bethlehem or Job), or omnipotent. Yet, he is so powerful that the archangel Michael did not rebuke him but instead called on the Lord to rebuke the devil. 

Satan’s kingdom is called the domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13). Those who are in his kingdom are held prisoner to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26). His kingdom is opposed to Christ’s work and kingdom (Luke 11:17-20). Jesus assumes that Satan rules his kingdom with intelligence and not with irrationality. His kingdom is also strong—guarded mightily and filled with his possessions. Satan's kingdom remained largely undisturbed for a while, but with Christ's arrival, Jesus began to plunder it.

Scripture outlines Satan’s activities.

Satan desires to keep men under his rule, protect his kingdom, and assault God. Everything he does is designed for this purpose. He employs many tactics to accomplish this objective. The very first act we observe Satan doing in Scripture characterizes much of his work: tempting Adam and Eve to sin (Genesis 3). This temptation works by questioning God’s Word and goodness and then highlighting sin’s passing pleasures. Much of what we observe Satan doing throughout history follows this general pattern. 

Satan has certain tactics he employs against unbelievers. He obstructs unbelievers from hearing and believing the Word of God with fleshly lusts, false religion, and physical fear (Luke 8:12, Ephesians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Revelation 12:9, Acts 10:38, Hebrews 2:13-15). When the Apostle said our battle is not against flesh and blood, he had these tactics in mind.

Satan has other tactics he uses to harm God’s people (Matthew 13:25, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:18, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 2:10, 1 Chronicles 21:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, Zechariah 3:1-2, 2 Corinthians 12:7, 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, Ephesians 4:26-27, Proverbs 18:1). The devil does all he can to thwart the Spirit’s work in the church. He is crafty and subtle, and he often hits us before we are even looking and when it is too late to avoid the damage. 

So, then, what can we do to battle against these strategies and tactics of Satan?

The first is to understand the devil is a defeated foe (1 John 3:8). Although at times he wins some battles, he ultimately has lost the war. Remembering this truth will keep us from discouragement during times when it appears that evil is triumphing over good.

The Bible gives several instructions for how to fight the devil and win. Be purposeful with your time (1 Timothy 5:13-15). Resist the devil—stand and fight his temptations (James 4:7). Resist the devil by prayerfully holding to God’s promises (1 Peter 5:7-10). Recognize your struggles are not unique (1 Corinthians 10:13). Deal with lust by getting married or having regular sexual relations with your spouse (1 Corinthians 7:2, 5). The church should appoint qualified leaders (1 Timothy 3:2). Exercise church discipline for the purpose of repentance and restoration (2 Corinthians 2). Be willing to die for Christ—as well as to live for Him (Revelation 12:11). Receive forgiveness and continue to serve Christ after failures (Luke 22:31-32). Remember God’s sovereignty, even over Satan (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). 

We face a formidable opponent, and the worst thing we can do is to pretend he doesn’t exist. Rather, we must understand him and his tactics, objectives, and limitations. Beyond that, we must understand what Scripture says about fighting against him.

We see here the heart of God, who loves us and demonstrated that love by sending His own Son. His son was tempted by Satan. His Son’s disciple betrayed Him. Satan was behind the crowd, chanting, “Crucify Him!” It looked like Satan won when they took Jesus down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. However, Jesus rose from the dead to destroy the devil’s works and set us free from slavery to sin. 

God’s love has triumphed over Satan. By God’s grace, and by the word of our testimony, we, too, will overcome.

Article by Robb Brunansky / Cripplegate

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Key Bible Verses About Satan

1. 1 John 3:8: "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." This verse highlights the purpose of Jesus' coming in relation to Satan's influence.

2. 1 Peter 5:8: "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." This points out the necessity of vigilance against Satan's temptations.

3. John 8:44: "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, rejecting the truth, for there is no truth in him. This verse describes Satan as the father of lies and a deceiver.

4. Revelation 12:9: "The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray." This verse depicts Satan's role as a deceiver and his ultimate defeat.

5. Luke 10:18: "He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.'" This verse refers to Satan's fall from grace and his defeat.

6. Ephesians 6:11: "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." This passage encourages believers to prepare for spiritual warfare against Satan.

7. Job 1:6-7: "One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." This passage illustrates Satan's role as an accuser and his active presence in the world.

8. 2 Corinthians 11:14: "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." This verse warns of Satan's deceptive nature.