Satan Is Real
Satan is a real angelic but fallen being. He was originally called Lucifer when God created him (Isaiah 14:12) but his name changed to Satan when he rebelled against God (Job 1:6-9; Matthew 4:10). Ezekiel 28:12-13 describes how God created him to be perfect in wisdom and beauty, a spectacle of flawlessness. The Lord gave him special capabilities in music and voice. “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created till iniquity was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:15). This verse is significant in that it explains that God did not create evil, He created something perfect. Satan is the one who created evil.
The question is, how could something so perfect go so wrong? The answer is pride. The Lord described his state of pride: “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor” (Ezekiel 28:17). Satan started to think too highly of himself because of all his gifts, he started to crave the honor that belonged to God. Isaiah 14 is another chapter that we can draw clues from concerning this.
In verses 13 and 14, it says about Lucifer, “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’”
Lucifer wanted the honor that should only go to the Creator. He wanted it so badly that he was even willing to fight against God for it. Revelation 12:7-9 reveals the fact that there was a real war in heaven “… Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
Satan was cast out of heaven and found a stronghold on earth after he successfully deceived Adam and Eve. Now he, along will all of the fallen angels, who are known as demons (Revelation 20:2), are trying their best to make sure that they deceive as many humans as they can. They want to hurt God, who loves humans and gave Himself for them (John 3:16), and the best way they can do that is to continue the rebellion against Him here on earth and take as many as they can down with them because they know their time is short and they will be destroyed in hell fire (Matthew 25:41).
That’s why Peter warns us to, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). But praise God, Jesus overcame Satan, and our Lord has offered us all the help that we need to overcome Satan, too. God is infinitely stronger than the evil one. And if we unite ourselves with the Savior, we can overcome all the temptations of the evil one (Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 15:57).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team