Introduction

Satan, also known as the Devil, is a central figure in Christian theology, representing the embodiment of evil and opposition to God. His role and characteristics are depicted throughout the Bible, where he is portrayed as a tempter, accuser, and adversary. The name "Satan" comes from the Hebrew word "śāṭān," meaning "adversary" or "accuser," while "Devil" is derived from the Greek "diabolos," meaning "slanderer."

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, Satan appears in several key passages. In the Book of Job, Satan is depicted as a member of the heavenly court who challenges the righteousness of Job, suggesting that his faithfulness is due to God's protection and blessings. "Then the LORD said to Satan, 'Have you considered My servant Job? There is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.'" (Job 1:8). Here, Satan acts as an accuser, questioning the integrity of human devotion to God.

In 1 Chronicles 21:1, Satan incites David to take a census of Israel, an act that leads to divine displeasure: "Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel." This passage highlights Satan's role in tempting individuals to act against God's will.

The prophet Zechariah also presents Satan as an accuser in a vision where he stands against Joshua the high priest: "Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him." (Zechariah 3:1).

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Satan's role as the tempter and deceiver is further emphasized. In the Gospels, he tempts Jesus in the wilderness, attempting to divert Him from His divine mission. "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." (Matthew 4:1). Here, Satan offers Jesus worldly power and glory in exchange for worship, but Jesus resists, affirming His commitment to God.

Satan is also described as the "prince of this world" (John 12:31) and the "god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4), indicating his influence over worldly systems and unbelievers. The Apostle Paul warns believers of Satan's schemes, urging them to put on the full armor of God to stand against his attacks: "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." (Ephesians 6:11).

In the Book of Revelation, Satan is depicted as the great dragon and the ancient serpent, who leads the whole world astray. He is ultimately defeated and cast into the lake of fire: "And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." (Revelation 12:9).

Characteristics and Titles

Satan is known by various titles and descriptions throughout Scripture, each highlighting different aspects of his character and role. He is called the "accuser of our brothers" (Revelation 12:10), the "father of lies" (John 8:44), and a "roaring lion" seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). These titles emphasize his deceitful nature and his relentless pursuit to undermine God's purposes and lead people astray.

Role and Influence

Satan's influence is evident in his ability to tempt, deceive, and accuse. He seeks to blind the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4) and to sow discord and division among believers. Despite his power, Satan's authority is limited by God's sovereignty, and his ultimate defeat is assured through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

While Satan is a formidable adversary, Scripture assures believers of victory through faith in Christ. By resisting the devil and standing firm in their faith, Christians can overcome his schemes and remain steadfast in their devotion to God.Matthew 4:1
Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 4:2,6
Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungry.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 20:2
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Nave's Topical Index

4567. Satanas -- the adversary, Satan, ie the devil
... the adversary, Satan, ie the devil. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Satanas Phonetic Spelling: (sat-an-as') Short Definition: an adversary ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4567.htm - 6k

4566. Satan -- Satan.
... Word Origin variant reading for Satanas, qv. Satan. Of Hebrew origin (satan); Satan,
ie The devil -- Satan. Compare Satanas. see GREEK Satanas. see HEBREW satan ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4566.htm - 6k

1228. diabolos -- slanderous, accusing falsely
... false accuser, devil, slanderer. From diaballo; a traducer; specially, Satan (compare
satan) -- false accuser, devil, slanderer. see GREEK diaballo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1228.htm - 8k

3789. ophis -- a snake
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: ophis Phonetic Spelling: (of'-is) Short Definition:
a serpent Definition: a serpent, snake; used of the devil or Satan. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3789.htm - 6k

The Binding of Satan.
... The "Dragon" is expressly called "that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan."
With the appendages of heads and horns"symbols of political sovereignty ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the binding of satan.htm

The Doctrine of Satan.
... own; for he is a liar, and the father of it." 1 John 3:8""He that committeth sin
is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning." Satan is here ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of satan.htm

The Millennium in Relation to Satan.
... And he laid hold on the Dragon, that old Serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan,
and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the Bottomless Pit, and shut ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/1 the millennium in relation.htm

What to do with the Devil
... say, "Watch the devil." The thing that we need to watch most is where our own feet
are going. If we allow ourselves to be occupied in watching Satan, we may ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk twenty-one what to do.htm

The Comer's Conflict with Satan
... Have I then within hearing one poor tried, tempted, devil-dragged soul? Has Satan
been pulling you through the thorns, and briers, and thickets, until you are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the comers conflict with satan.htm

Christ or Satan.
... LOVE. XXXVIII. Christ or Satan. ... The court circles of St. Petersburg almost worship
the Russian Czar, while every nihilist abhors him as an incarnate devil. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxviii christ or satan.htm

The Redeemer's Return is Necessitated by the Present Exaltation of ...
... of Satan's present exaltation and man's utter inability to overthrow him, demands
and necessitates the personal Return of our Redeemer to vanquish the Devil ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/v the redeemers return is.htm

The Wicked Raised, and Satan Loosed
... "And when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be ... And the devil, who deceived
them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where both the wild ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the wicked raised and satan.htm

The Antichrist Will be the Son of Satan
... case, then we have further evidence that the coming One will be no mere man indwelt
by Satan, but a fallen angel, an evil spirit, the incarnation of the Devil. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/ii the antichrist will be.htm

Christ the Conqueror of Satan
... "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan,
which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 22 1876/christ the conqueror of satan.htm

How much power does Satan possess? | GotQuestions.org

Is Satan in hell? Where is Satan? | GotQuestions.org

Does Satan exist? | GotQuestions.org

Satan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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