What Does the Bible Say About Satan?
Pastors Perspective Column, Stevens County Times
March 2025
By Pastor Tim White
I have been asked to write on the subject of Satan (also referred to as devil or serpent – Rev. 12:9 & 20:2), his origins, his activity today, the evil work he does in this world, and the limitations of his power. I will do my best in this format.
Regarding the origin of Satan, he first appears in Genesis 3:1 as “the serpent,” who was “craftier than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made.” From this verse, one could conclude that Satan’s origin was as a serpent, along with the other land creatures created on the sixth day of creation. Adam was created on the sixth day, last of all.
Some scholars point to Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:11-19 as two key passages that they say speak about the devil’s original creation and how he fell and became “Satan” (meaning “accuser” or “adversary”). However, these passages are not as straightforward as some declare because they are very specific prophecies spoken against two powerful pagan Kings who ruled during the lifetime of the particular prophet – the King of Babylon in Isaiah’s day and the King of Tyre in Ezekiel’s day. However, knowing who the devil is today, his relationship to humanity, and how to overcome him are more relevant than arguing over these passages.
For those who say, “I don’t believe in the devil,” I remind them that just because one does not believe in someone does not keep them from existing. Moreover, the complexity and majesty of creation shout to the observant that there must be an intelligent Superior Being out there who designed it all. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that some form of spiritual beings and unseen heavenly realms must exist beyond our physical world.
Who is the devil? Jesus described the devil in John 8:44 as a “murderer from the beginning…When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is the father of lies.” Jesus begins that verse by saying those who lie, and murder are children of the devil (as in 1 John 3:8). Satan is also called the “prince of the world” (John 14:30), “god of this age (who) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:4), and “the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Eph. 2:2).
What is the devil’s address? Is hell his headquarters? Well, first, Jesus made it clear that hell has never been Satan’s headquarters in Matt. 25:41. Jesus is speaking about a place of judgment for the “cursed ones” (humans) as being cast into “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41).
The Bible reveals that Satan spends his time “roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it” (Job 1:7). The reason for his “roaming” is two-fold. One, our “enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Two, he has to roam because, unlike God, he is not omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), nor omniscient (all-knowing), not to mention, he is not omnipotent (all-powerful) either.
We also find that Satan has some degree of access into God’s presence with the “host of heaven” (angelic beings of various ranks and duties). In Job 1:6, we read, “One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.” Then, in Zech. 3:1, the prophet sees in a vision, “Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.”
Satan’s primary role when he has access to God’s realm is to incessantly accuse the followers of Christ, as it says in Rev. 12:10, “accuses them day and night.” However, much to the devil’s dismay, the next verse states that the ones he was trying to accuse before God “overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the lamb (Christ’s sacrifice on the cross) and the word of their testimony (their life of faith in Christ).”
On another occasion, Satan asked God if he could “sift Peter as wheat” as Jesus’ time for his crucifixion approached (Luke 22:31). Well, the devil lost that one, too, because Jesus vetoed the serpent’s request in the next verse. The Lord reassured Peter, saying, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
It is a fact that the devil, as a supernatural being, is more powerful than humans. However, he has limits that he cannot exceed. In Job’s case, Satan accused Job of serving God for financial benefit, and when God allowed Satan to test Job, He set the limits within which the devil could not exceed. The devil cannot do whatever he wants with whomever he wants, whenever he wants.
His primary weapon is like bait on a hook – trying to deceive, lie, and masquerade as something he is not, hoping someone will bite. In Eph. 4:25-29, the Apostle Paul shows that we will “not give the devil a foothold” when we refuse to give in to sinful ways and attitudes.
As Jesus resisted the devil in the wilderness in Luke 4, we can too. In James 4:7-8, we find the way to overcome the wiles of the devil and the temptations of the world, “Submit yourselves, then, to God (yield to God’s Truth and ways). Resist the devil (stand your ground in faith and life), and he will flee from you.” Then, the promise in verse eight calls us to “Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” (See also 2 Cor. 10:13, & 1 Pet. 5:8-9)
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have this promise in Rom 8:31b: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” And then in verse 37, “… in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Finally, in 1 John 4:4: “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (the spirits that reject Christ) because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
If you realize you are not following Christ (have not repented of your sin and surrendered your life to God’s purposes and plans) and are concerned for your soul or just have questions, contact a local follower of Christ or me.