What in the world is Satan doing? Are we fooling ourselves if we blame our problems on the devil? Or are we being spiritually naïve if we don’t? Does our Christian faith require us to believe in a real, unseen enemy whose aggressive strategy is to keep us from loving and trusting Christ?
The Bible is so full of references to the devil that it is impossible to hold to the Christian faith without accepting the reality of Satan. His existence is taught in seven Old Testament books: Genesis, Job, 1 Chronicles, Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. And it is affirmed by every New Testament writer. Jesus clearly believed in the personal existence of Satan (Matt. 4:1 – 11; 13:39; Luke 10:18; 11:18). In fact, in 25 of the 29 passages that refer to Satan in the Gospels, Christ is speaking. If such a basic biblical teaching as this were dismissed as outdated superstition, we would have grounds for questioning the Bible’s authority in everything it says. So what do you believe about Satan? Does your understanding of this evil person agree with what the Bible declares?
Article III: DECLARATION OF FAITH
Section C. Satan
1. His Creation. We believe in the personality of Satan; that he was created under the heavenly title of “Lucifer, the Son of the Morning” and given a place of glory over all other created beings (Isaiah 14:12; Ezekiel 28:12 -15).
1. We have already considered in this series of lessons the idea of personhood being described as the ability to demonstrate intellect, emotion, and will. Another aspect of personhood, which makes for personal beings, is indicated by features such as self-awareness and self determination. What indications are given that Satan is a person in the following Scriptures?
· Isaiah 14:12 – 14
· 2 Corinthians 11:3
· Revelation 12:17, (see v. 9)
2. Satan falls under the theological category of angels. What can we conclude about his origin? Was he created by God? See Psalm 148:2, 5; Ezekiel 28:12 -15 and Colossians 1:16.
2. His Fall. We believe in his aspiration to be “like the Most High.” He manifested his rebellion toward His Creator, and for this was cast out of heaven with others who followed in his rebellion (Isaiah 14:12 – 15).
3. While Ezekiel 28 speaks of the king of Tyre, there are certain indications in the passage that he was speaking beyond the king to Satan himself. Note the phrases “the anointed cherub that covereth;” and “thou was upon the holy mountain of God”(28:14). Where did Satan’s problem start? (Ezek. 28:15, 17)
4. How many blasphemous “I wills” do you find in Isaiah 14:12 -15?
5. What was the Lord’s response? (14:15)
3. His Purpose. We believe that in his fall he became “Satan the adversary of God” and of every child of God. He is the great deceiver and the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:9 – 10). He is the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, blinding their minds to the truth of the Gospel (2 Cor.4:3 – 4).
6. What words are used to describe Satan in Revelation 12:9 – 10?
7. How does Satan oppose believers? See Rev. 12:10 & 1 Peter 5:8.
8. How does Satan work in the lives of unbelievers?
· 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4
· Luke 8:12
· Ephesians 2:2
4. His Power. We believe that Satan’s power is limited (his is not omnipotent as is God), but that it is increased by the innumerable host of demons who do his will and serve him. Though he is not omnipresent or omniscient, yet through these wicked spirits he is in touch with the whole earth (Dan. 10:13; Zech. 3:1; Eph. 2:2; Acts 26:18; Col. 1:13).
9. What titles or actions indicate that Satan has power in the following Scriptures?
· Ephesians 6:11, 12
· John 12:31
· 2 Corinthians 4:4
10. How do we know that Satan’s power is limited? See Job 1:12 and Luke 22:31 – 32.
11. What provision has God made for us out of Satan’s darkness? See Acts 26:18 and Colossians 1:13.
5. His Defeat. We believe that through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ a perfect judgment of Satan and his followers had been secured (John 12:31; 16:11; Col. 2:14, 15); opening the way to victory for the believer, and insuring the final judgment of Satanic hosts in the Lake of Fire (Jude 6).
12. What is coming for Satan? See John 12:31; 16:11; Jude 6; Matthew 25:41 and Revelation 20:10.
In Conclusion: Satan is doing all he can, within the limits of God’s permissive decree, to oppose saved people and to hinder the Lord’s work of building the church (Eph. 6:10 – 12). It irks the Devil to see his former subjects serving the Lord Jesus and bearing witness to the gospel and its truth. Untiringly, Satan seeks to stop this and to render their lives ineffective (1 Pet. 5:8 – 9). But the Lord is faithful to protect His people from the evil one (2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Cor. 10:13). So you can with confidence know that as you Submit to God and resist the devil, he will flee from you (James 4:7).
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