Our Great Enemy

In 1971, an inmate in Pennsylvania named Gerald Mayo f iled a lawsuit against Satan. He alleged that Satan had caused him significant hardship, placed deliberate obstacles in his path, and was the reason for his downfall. Though the lawsuit was eventually dismissed, it did bring reality to the familiar saying, “The devil made me do it!”

Satan is a spirit being who opposes God and man. He “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). From the first book of the Old Testament to the last book of the New Testament, we read about the existence of a personality of evil called Satan.

Satan is referred to in many ways, including “the devil” (1 John 3:8), “the tempter” (1Thessalonians 3:5), “the evil one” (1 John 3:12), “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31), “the prince of demons” (Matthew 9:34), “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), “the father of lies” (John 8:44), “the enemy” (Matthew 13:39), “the dragon” (Revelation 12:7), “the accuser” (Revelation 12:10), “the serpent” (2 Corinthians11:3), “Belial” (2 Corinthians 6:15), and “Apollyon” (Revelation 9:11). One name not mentioned in the list is “Lucifer.” That is because Satan is never called Lucifer in the Bible. The reference to Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12 (KJV) refers to the king of Babylon, not to Satan.

Satan speaks (Matthew 4:3), tempts (1 Corinthians 7:5), deceives (Revelation 12:9), challenges (Job 1:11), accuses (Revelation 12:10), lies (John 8:44), contends (Jude 9), incites (1 Chronicles 21:1), murders (John 8:44), hinders (1 Thessalonians 2:18), flees (James 4:7), devours (1 Peter 5:8), blinds (2 Corinthians 4:4), and sins (1 John 3:8). He possesses intelligence and purpose (Genesis 3:1-6). Moreover, Satan is referred to with the personal pronouns “he” and “him.” Hence, he is not some mythical creature as many suppose. He is a real, non-corporeal being.

The belief that Satan does not exist may be one of his greatest achievements. People will not guard against somebody they do not believe can hurt them. Others may claim to believe in the existence of Satan, but their actions indicate that they do not fear him. For instance, would someone joke about Satan or dress up as Satan if they really considered him a threat to their soul? Do you suppose that Jesus or the apostles would find pleasure in someone parading around with horns and a tail claiming to be “the devil?” Satan’s genius is on display when humans engage in such behavior.

Satan is considered the author of sin (1 John 3:8), sickness (Acts 10:38), and death (Hebrews2:14); and he is credited with leading men astray (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). He is our foe!