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In our enlightened, secular society the mention of Satan usually draws questioning glances. “Can’t you take responsibility for your own actions?” “Don’t tell me you still believe in a devil?” We haven’t heard much about the Devil since the string of popular Exorcist movies in the 1970’s. The Bible doesn’t get a lot of airtime either but the Bible is the source of information on the Devil. Let’s start with Jesus and see what he had to say on the subject.
In Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 13, Jesus preached the parable of the weeds. The Disciples wanted to know what it meant. Jesus had these things to say about the Devil in explaining that teaching: He is the Evil One. He is the enemy. Evil men are his sons. He sows weeds among the wheat. (Matthew 13: 38-39) Matthew also quotes Jesus as saying that Satan has a kingdom (12:26) and another name: Beelzebul (12:28). Later on while Jesus is teaching about the Final Judgement he says: “Away to the eternal fire, which has been prepared for the Devil and his angels”. (25:41) Satan has angels with him and eternal fire is his destiny.
In Luke’s Gospel Jesus “saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”. (10:18) He talked about a woman “whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years.” (13:16) Jesus told Peter that “Satan has received permission to test all of you.” (22:31) Satan needs permission to test us.
John records Jesus describing the Devil as “the prince of this world” (12:31, 14:30). Jesus said, “You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father’s desires. From the very beginning he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies.” (John 8: 44)
It is clear from the Gospel accounts that Jesus believed in a literal, real adversary called Satan or Beelzebul. Did the other New Testament writers write about the Devil? Matthew, Mark, Luke and John continued to teach on this subject even when not quoting their Lord. John, who also wrote the Revelation, has a lot to say about how Satan meets his end. He talks about “Satan, that deceived the whole world. He was thrown down to earth, and all his angels with him.” (Rev. 12: 9) Michael and his army of angels defeat Satan (the dragon, the ancient serpent) (Rev. 12: 7-9)
John’s reference to the ancient serpent can only mean the serpent in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3: 1-20) The crafty serpent laid the bait and Adam and Eve bit it. The Devil makes an appearance in the Book of Job (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-10) and torments Job. He caused Job’s troubles and had God’s permission to do it. Satan wanted to make trouble for King David and he “made David decide to take a census” (1 Chronicles 21:1). In the Old Testament too, Satan was real and affected people’s lives and their decisions.
The writers of the New Testament letters also had a great respect for the Devil. Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians to “keep Satan from getting the upper hand over us” (2Cor. 2:11), “their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world.” (2Cor.4: 4), “Even Satan can disguise himself to look like an angel of light.” (2Cor.11: 14)
In Ephesians, the same apostle declares about Satan, “the ruler of the spiritual powers in space, the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God.” (Eph.2: 2) and “Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil’s evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers of this dark age.” (Eph. 6: 11-12)
James and Peter also wrote about the Devil in their letters. James said “Resist the Devil and he will run away from you.” (James 4: 7) Peter wrote “Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Be firm in your faith and resist him.” (1 Peter 5: 8-9)
According to the whole Bible, there is an adversary called Satan. His presence is consistently mentioned from Genesis to Revelation. He tries to upset God’s plans but he seems to be tethered and can only go as far as God allows. Satan has the power to test us and tempt us but we have the option to resist. (See James 4: 7)
Bible quotations from: Good News Bible, CBS, 1992
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