Page 577 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

SATAN

Satan’s Origin. (1) He was created by God (Col. devil can do some miracles and he uses them to deceive
1:16). (2) He was an exalted angel (Eze. 28:12-14). In people. We have already seen that the miracles spoken
this passage, God describes Satan in his beginning. He of in the context of the end of this age, in Matthew and
was the “anointed cherib.” He was exceedingly lovely Thessalonians and Revelation, are always demonic
with all sorts of precious gems included in his makeup. miracles of deception. Thus it is very alarming to find
He even had amazing musical abilities built into his the charismatic movement focusing so much on signs
body (“pipes” and “tabrets”). (3) He was called Lucifer, and miracles. The late John Wimber, who was a leader
son of the morning (Is. 14:12). Lucifer means “shining.” in the charismatic movement, even had large meetings
We can only imagine how beautiful Lucifer was when in various parts of the world that he called “Signs and
God created him. (4) He was lifted up with pride and Wonders Conferences.” (5) Blinding men’s minds to the
sinned (Eze. 28:15, 16; Is. 14:13, 14; 1 Ti. 3:6). (5) He Gospel (2 Co. 4:4). This verse not only says that Satan
became the enemy of God and of man (Ge. 3; 2 Co. blinds men’s minds to spiritual truth, but it tells us why
11:3). he can do that. It is those who “believe not” who are
Satan’s Personality. The Bible does not portray Satan blinded by him. Man is responsible for the truth that he
merely as an evil influence, but as an evil person (Job hears. Jesus gives light to every man (Jn. 1:9) and the
1:6-12; Mt. 4:1-11; Jn. 8:44). Holy Spirits convicts men (John 16:8), but men are
Satan’s Character. (1) He is a liar (Jn. 8:44). (2) He responsible to respond to the truth. The devil cannot
is a murderer (Jn. 8:44). (3) He is proud (1 Ti. 3:6). (4) blind men unless they refuse to believe. He cannot keep
He is a deceiver (Re. 12:9). (5) He is a thief (Mt. men from Christ if they want to come to him. It is only
13:19). (6) He loves to destroy (1 Pe. 5:8). when they harden their hearts to the gospel and refuse
Satan’s Titles. (1) The devil (Re. 12:9), meaning to heed Christ’s admonition to come to Him for
salvation that the devil can blind them (2 Th. 2:10, 12).
“slanderer.” (2) Prince of the power of the air (Ep. 2:2). (6) Inflicting disease and trouble under God’s sovereign
(3) Prince of this world (Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). (4) eye (Job 1-2; Lk. 13:16; 22:31; Ac. 10:38; 1 Co. 5:5; 2
God of this world (2 Co. 4:4). Satan is called this Co. 12:7; 1 Ti. 1:20). The devil has the power to give
because unsaved men have rebelled against the true sickness and much trouble to people, even to believers,
God and serve Satan, some knowingly and some but only as God allows it. (7) Tempting men to sin (Eve
unknowingly. (5) The dragon (Re. 12:9). (6) That old —Ge. 3:1-5; Jesus—Mt. 4:1-11; Judas—Jn. 13:2;
serpent (Re. 12:9). (7) Roaring lion (1 Pe. 5:8). (8) Ananias and Sapphira—Acts 5:3; married couples—1
Ruler of darkness (Ep. 6:12). (9) Beelzebub (Mt. Co. 7:5; young widows—1 Ti. 5:15). Satan tempts
12:24), meaning “dung-god.” (10) Apollyon (Re. 9:11), people, but he cannot make them sin. James 1:13-14
meaning “destroyer.” (11) The wicked one (Mt. 13:19). says men are tempted when they are drawn by their
(12) Belial (2 Co. 6:15), meaning “worthless.” (13) The own lusts. It is apparently at that point that Satan enters
enemy (Mt. 13:39; Lk. 10:19). (14) The tempter (1 Th. and magnifies the temptation. We see this in the
3:5). temptation in the garden of Eden. It appears that Eve
Satan’s Activities. (1) Opposing God’s plan for the was already eyeing and pondering the tree that God had
ages (Re. 12:1-9). Whatever God does and plans, Satan forbidden (Ge. 3) when the devil came along and began
hates it and does everything he can to oppose it; and he asking her evil questions to lead her along. (8)
has been doing this ever since he fell. (2) Opposing Controlling unsaved people (Ep. 2:2; Lk. 22:3; Jn.
God’s people (1 Pe. 5:8; Ze. 3:1; 1 Ch. 21:1). One of the 8:44). According to the Bible, Satan literally controls the
reasons why the service of God is so difficult at times is lives of the unsaved. Lost men think of themselves as
that Satan is aggressively opposing God’s people. He free thinkers and as masters of their own fate, but in
especially targets those who are leaders and who are reality they are puppets of the god of this world, Satan.
zealous in the work of God. (3) Opposing, hindering, (9) Empowering false religions and idolatry. The Old
and seeking to corrupt the work of the Gospel (Mt. Testament teaches this (Le. 17:7; De. 32:17; Ps.
13:19, 39; Mk. 4:15; 1 Th. 2:18). In Mt. 13:19, we see 106:37). And the New Testament teaches it (1 Co.
why the devil can snatch the truth from the hearts of 10:20; Re. 9:20). One of the devil’s biggest works is
some sinners. It is because they do not go to the trouble false religion. Why do multitudes of otherwise rational
to understand it and to seek it. Man is always people worship foolish idols and follow after strange
responsible for what he does with the truth. (4) false religions such as Islam? Because there is a spiritual
Working miracles (Mt. 24:24; 2 Th. 2:9; Re. 13:11-15; power behind those religions, a drawing power, and it is
16:14). We see this also in the Old Testament. The the devil. (10) Promoting false teachings (1 Ti. 4:1; 2
magicians who opposed Moses could do some miracles Co. 11:1-4, 12-15; 2 Ti. 2:25, 26). Satan is the
(Ex. 7:14). Many people are deceived by thinking that mastermind and power behind false teaching. That is
miracles must be of God, but the Bible warns that the why multitudes follow things such as Mormonism and

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