SATAN or THE DEVIL

Though many view Lucifer as the origin of the devil or satan, a careful study of the only place in the Bible where Lucifer is mentioned will reveal that Lucifer is a name referring to the king of Babylon, not to the devil. (Please carefully study Isaiah 14:1-12.) There are several reasons people misinterpret this passage of Scripture, but the most common reason is this passage says, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” Since most of God’s children always think of the eternal heaven when they read the word “heaven”, they assume this one fell from the eternal heaven. There are actually several heavens mentioned in the Bible, and Paul speaks of one who was caught up to the “third heaven.”

Understanding that Lucifer is not the origin of the devil still leaves us wondering where he originated. The answer is found in Colossians 1:16. “For by him (Jesus) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and for him.” The devil is a power that is attempting to destroy and kill. He his a liar and murderer (see John 8:44.) This power created by Jesus is called the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). We must put on the whole armor of God because “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12). The devil is our enemy, going to and fro in the earth “seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8).

The noun Satan derives from the Hebrew word meaning “adversary”. In the book of Job, we see Satan as Job’s adversary, being given permission by God to afflict and hurt Job in many ways. Satan’s assertion to God was that if God would allow Satan to afflict Job, he would curse God to His face. Even today, many afflictions are brought on God’s dear children as Satan works to tempt us to do evil, to question God, and to turn away from God.

God never tempts man to do evil (James 1:13-15). God does try our faith. But He never entices or tempts us to do evil. All temptations are from the devil (Satan). While living here on earth in the flesh, Jesus was tempted of the devil (see Matthew 4:1-11.) Unlike us, Jesus never yielded to the temptations of the devil!

Though Satan is powerful, we need to remember that God is more powerful by far, and that Satan is limited by God in what he is allowed to do. By God’s grace, we can resist the devil (James 4:7). Remember, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (I Jn. 4:4).