Satan: Our Adversary, Not Our Master
The Bible is clear: Satan is real, active, a personal being, and powerful—but he is also defeated. As believers in Jesus Christ, we must be aware of our adversary but never fear him. Instead, we are called to trust in Jesus, stand firm in the truth, and rely on God to resist Satan’s schemes.
Who Is Satan?
Satan is not God’s equal. He is a created being (Ezekiel 28:15), a fallen angel who once held the highest position among the heavenly hosts (Ezekiel 28:12). Unlike God, Satan is not omnipresent, omnipotent, or omniscient. He has great power, but only as God permits (Job 1:12).
His very name, “Satan,” means adversary (Zechariah 3:1; Matthew 4:10).
Other titles reveal his nature:
– Devil (diabolos) – slanderer, accuser (Matthew 4:1; Ephesians 4:27)
– Dragon, Serpent (Revelation 12:9, 20:2), the evil one (John 17:15), Belial (the worthless one)
Satan’s Strategies: How He Works
Satan’s goal is deception. He counterfeits God’s truth, disguising himself and his servants as agents of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). He blinds unbelievers to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4) and accuses believers before God (Revelation 12:10). Yet, the great news is that Jesus is our defender and advocate (1 John 2:1-2)!
Satan tempts people to distrust God, rely on themselves, and chase their desires apart from God’s will. His temptations typically fall into three categories (1 John 2:16):
– Lust of the flesh – Temptations toward indulgence (Matthew 4:3-4)
– Lust of the eyes – Temptations toward materialism (Matthew 4:5-7)
– Pride of life – Temptations toward independence from God (Matthew 4:8-10)
Satan’s Domain: The World System
Satan is called “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), the “ruler of this world” (John 12:31), and the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). The world system—its beliefs, values, priorities, systems, and ideologies—is under the influence and “the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).
He promotes counterfeits and half-truths:
– Science without God
– Family without God
– Love without God
– Marriage without God
– Success without God
Satan makes sin as sexy and attractive as possible, concealing the hook until it’s too late. But no matter how appealing his deceptions appear, they cannot compare to Christ’s truth, goodness, and beauty.
Satan’s Fall: The Origin of Evil
According to Ezekiel 28:11-19:
– Satan was given wisdom and perfect beauty (verse 12)
– Satan was given unmatched glory among God’s created beings (13)
– Satan was the chief guardian of God’s holiness and majesty (14)
– Satan had unparalleled perfection (15)
In every way, Satan was the epitome of God’s creation. In The Invisible War, D. G. Barnhouse wrote, “He awoke in the first moment of his existence in the full-orbed beauty and power of his exalted position, surrounded by all the magnificent which God gave him. He saw himself above all the hosts in power, wisdom, and beauty. Only at the throne of God itself did he see more than he himself possessed, and it is possible that even that was, in some sense, not fully visible to the eyes of the creature… Before his fall, he may be said to have occupied the prime minister role for God, possibly ruling over the universe, but certainly over the world.”
Isaiah gives more detail of Satan’s sin in chapter 14:
Note his determination in several of his “I will” statements:
– I will ascend to heaven
– I will raise my throne above the stars of God
– I will make myself like the Most High
Victory in Christ: How Believers Stand Firm
Satan is already defeated. Jesus’ death and resurrection “disarmed the rulers and authorities, triumphing over them” (Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15). Yet, until Christ returns, we are called to stand firm in the battle against spiritual deception and temptation.
How Do We Resist the Enemy?
1. Submit to God and resist the devil—He will flee (James 4:7).
2. Put on the armor of God—Truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and God’s Word (Ephesians 6:10-18).
3. Seek God’s deliverance in prayer (Ephesians 6:18).
4. Stand under Jesus’ authority—Satan cannot make you do what you don’t choose.
5. Rest in Jesus’ victory—Jesus is the Victor and we are victorious through faith (1 John 4:4).
Final Encouragement: Eyes on Jesus
Yes, Satan is real and his influence in this world is undeniable, but his reach is limited, and his end is certain. While God could have destroyed Satan immediately after his rebellion, He’s allowed him to continue for a time. Yet, Jesus has already won the victory at the cross (Heb. 2:14) and, one day, Satan will be cast forever into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
Until then, fix your eyes on Jesus. Know the Word. Resist him through faith, truth, and the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:10-18).