Satan

Satan (Hebrew śāṭān, “adversary” or “accuser”; Greek diabolos, “slanderer,” whence “devil”) is the chief spiritual enemy of God and his people — a real, personal, created being, not a principle or myth. He is a fallen creature, not a rival deity: Scripture hints that his pride brought his ruin, and Jesus “saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18). His power is always derivative and bounded by God’s sovereignty.

In the Old Testament he appears as the accuser in the heavenly court, challenging Job’s integrity yet able to act only within the limits God sets (Job 1:6-12), and standing to accuse Joshua the high priest, only to be rebuked by the LORD (Zechariah 3:1-2). He incited David to the census (1 Chronicles 21:1). The New Testament identifies him with “that ancient serpent” who deceived Eve in Eden (Genesis 3:1-7; Revelation 12:9), making him a liar and murderer “from the beginning” (John 8:44).

By the Gospels he is revealed as the ruler of a kingdom of darkness — “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31), “the god of this world” who blinds unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4), commanding demonic powers (Ephesians 6:12). He tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), entered Judas (Luke 22:3), and prowls “like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8) — though he can disguise himself “as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Yet Satan is a defeated foe. The Son of God came “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8); at the cross Christ “disarmed the rulers and authorities… triumphing over them” (Colossians 2:15) and through death destroyed “the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). His final doom is certain — the God of peace will soon crush him underfoot (Romans 16:20), and he will be thrown into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:10). Therefore believers are called to resist him, firm in faith, clad in the armour of God, knowing “he will flee from you” (James 4:7; Ephesians 6:11).