Who is Satan?

Who Is Satan?

Satan is a real, personal, spiritual being—not merely a symbol of evil or the sinful tendencies of mankind. His name means adversary, and Scripture also identifies him as the devil, the tempter, the accuser, the wicked one, and the great dragon. He rebelled against God and now opposes the purposes of God, the Word of God, and the people of God.

Jesus Christ declared concerning Satan:

“He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
—John 8:44

Satan is the originator and chief promoter of lies. His work is characterized by deception, false doctrine, temptation, accusation, spiritual blindness, and opposition to the truth. Every lie ultimately reflects his nature, while all truth proceeds from God.

The God of This Present World

Satan is called “the god of this world” because he exercises great influence over the present evil world system:

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
—2 Corinthians 4:4

This title does not mean that Satan is equal with God or possesses unlimited authority. There is only one true and living God. Satan is a created being whose activities remain subject to God’s sovereign permission and final judgment. Nevertheless, he presently influences the world’s philosophies, religions, governments, entertainment, moral values, and opposition to the gospel.

The unbelieving world follows the course established by Satan:

“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”
—Ephesians 2:2

All unbelievers are under Satan’s spiritual influence, blinded to the gospel and held captive by his deceptions. This does not remove man’s personal responsibility for sin. Men remain accountable to God because they willingly reject the light and choose darkness rather than truth.

The Enemy of Christians

Satan is in open rebellion against God and wages spiritual warfare against every believer. He cannot take away the eternal salvation of those who have trusted Jesus Christ, but he seeks to tempt, deceive, discourage, accuse, divide, and render Christians ineffective.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
—1 Peter 5:8

The Christian is therefore commanded to stand against him:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
—Ephesians 6:10–11

The believer does not overcome Satan through human wisdom, physical strength, religious ceremonies, or emotional experiences. Victory is found through submission to God, faith in His Word, prayer, truth, righteousness, the gospel, and the whole armour of God described in Ephesians 6:10–18.

Satan is powerful, but he is not all-powerful. He is intelligent, but he is not all-knowing. He is active throughout the world, but he is not omnipresent. He is a defeated enemy whose final doom has already been determined by God.

Satan’s Final Judgment

Satan’s rebellion will not continue forever. After his final attempt to deceive the nations, God will cast him into the Lake of Fire:

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
—Revelation 20:10

Satan will not rule in hell, nor will he torment lost souls as its king. He will himself be judged and tormented eternally in the Lake of Fire. His punishment will be conscious, continual, and everlasting.

The biblical record is therefore clear: Satan is a real being, the father of lies, the god of this present world, the deceiver of unbelievers, the adversary of Christians, and a condemned enemy awaiting eternal punishment. Christians must neither underestimate his activity nor fear him as though he were equal with God. Our confidence rests in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has secured the final victory.

Key Scriptures: John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:10–18; 1 Peter 5:8–9; James 4:7; Revelation 12:9–11; Revelation 20:10.