Wrong Things People Believe About Satan

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Do you believe in Satan? If so, what do you believe about him? Sadly, many people know very little about their greatest adversary.

• Some say, “Satan is not real.” Many people believe that the devil is nothing more than a made-up creature from the human mind. They view him as no different than a character found in Marvel comics or Lord of the Rings. Some even say that he is nothing more than a symbol of evil.
  • The Bible teaches the opposite! According to the Scriptures, Satan is just as real as God the Father and God the Son Jesus.
  • He was there at the beginning (Genesis 3:1-5; Revelation 12:9). He tempted the Lord in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).
  • Jesus preached about him constantly (Matthew 13:39; 25:41; Luke 8:12; 22:31-32; John 8:44). You can’t reasonably believe in Jesus while refusing to believe in Satan.
  • He entered into the heart of Judas (Luke 22:3).
  • He sought after Job’s soul (Job 1-2).
• Others say, “Satan is Lucifer.” This idea comes from a lack of careful study of the context of Isaiah 14:12 (KJV). In Isaiah 14:4, we learn that the “Lucifer” mentioned in verse 14 is the king of Babylon (probably a reference to King Nebuchadnezzar). The King of Babylon would be humbled and brought low by God. Satan is called many names in the Bible, but “Lucifer” is NOT one of them!
• Some believe that Satan is equal in power and nature to God. While the devil may want you to think this, it is a lie! He is nowhere close to being equal to God. He does not possess the qualities of deity.
  • Unlike God, Satan is not all-knowing. He did not know the outcome of the trials he put on God’s servant Job.
  • He is not omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-12). When Satan is resisted, there is some sense in which he will flee from us (James 4:7).
  • He is not all-powerful and sovereign (Psalm 135:6). He could only do to Job what God allowed (Job 1:12). He had to ask permission to test Peter (Luke 22:31). God will not let him tempt us beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).
  • He is not from everlasting to everlasting. God has no beginning and no end (Psalm 90:2). At some point, the devil was created and chose to rebel against God.
• Many also believe, “Satan is not a real threat in my life.” This is the primary lie Satan wants you to think. But the Scriptures say that he is very interested in you. He is the greatest threat you have in your life!
  • He wants to be your spiritual father (John 8:44).
  • He is scheming against you (2 Corinthians 2:11).
  • He wants to seek and devour you (1 Peter 5:8).
  • He wants to hold your soul captive and deceive you into doing his will (2 Timothy 2:26).

Satan is indeed a strong enemy. He is more powerful than us (Ephesians 6:12). But, thankfully, he is not more powerful than God! When we are strong in the Lord and dressed in His armor, we will defeat the devil every time (Ephesians 6:10-11)! The devil knows this already. Do you?