The Gooch Lane church of Christ is a group of people in Madison, Alabama seeking to study the Bible and put God’s teachings into practice. We’d love to have you join us for Bible study and worship.
Who Is Satan
by Greg Chandler
Answering a question on the identity of Satan is challenging since God has provided little information about him. The first biblical introduction of one opposed to the plan of God is found in Genesis 3. Set in the paradise of Eden, this being is not identified by name; rather, it is simply called the serpent. As the Bible ends, the identity of this being is linked to Satan. Revelation 12:9 states: “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
The Old Testament records little more about Satan, with most references found in the book of Job. The text introduces this discussion by stating, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan” (Job 1:6). While most English translations of the Bible present this identity as a proper name, it could easily be translated the satan, meaning one who is an adversary or an accuser. The emphasis of this text is that the being challenged God, stating that His blessings on Job were the only reason he remained faithful. The accuser claimed Job would curse God if the blessings were removed. The only other direct references to this being in the Old Testament are found in I Chronicles 21:1 and Zechariah 3. In the former, the adversary incites David to conduct an unauthorized census prohibited by God; in the latter, he seeks to accuse Israel in a vision given to the prophet Zechariah.
Numerous New Testament references to this being are made, primarily using the name Satan and the term devil. Devil, like Satan (the satan) can also mean “to accuse;” as well, it can mean one who slanders. Early in the pages of the New Testament, the account is recorded of Jesus going into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Like in the Garden of Eden, he seeks to twist the words of God in such a fashion as to get Jesus to sin; however, the Lord refutes these efforts and demonstrates that his temptations can be overcome.
Many of the other New Testament references are given in the form of warnings. For example, James writes, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Peter warns of his power and the need to be on alert: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). Paul admonishes Christians to be ready to wage war against him: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Other New Testament references echo these thoughts.
Though Satan is powerful and one to be taken seriously, he is a defeated power. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the opportunity was given for mankind to be saved from this accuser. The apostle John wrote, “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3:8). Because of the work of Jesus, the devil and his followers will be banished to eternal punishment for their opposition to righteousness and godliness.
There are many false ideas presented about the devil. These include a range from cartoonish imp to a being so powerful he cannot be overcome. There are also those who promote the idea that he is not a real being, but simply a symbol of evil. The Bible lays these theories to rest and warns that Satan seeks the destruction of souls. However, he cannot overcome the power of God and those who are on God’s side have no need to fear. Through Jesus, the war has been won.