Satan, Angel Of Light
At least that's how he appears to gullible mankind
The Father of Lies
What do we know about him? According to the Old Testament he was a beautiful created being in the Kingdom of Heaven. His name was Lucifer, and he was powerful and very influential. His fall is recorded in Isaiah 14:12-15. Notice that he began to get puffed up in his heart and began to proclaim just what he thought he would do. What follows is a staggering use of the word “I" over and over again! I do not find it strange at all that the words sin and pride have the letter “I” at the center of them. That word is the apex of rebellion at the demonic level and at the human level. After all, isn't it about us when we rebel against the commandments of God? We all simply follow the lead of the tempter and say, “I” will not do what I know is right. “I” will not listen to my conscience even if it means rebelling against the God of Heaven himself.”
Satan wants us to believe that our own well-being is the supreme object of life so that everything and everyone must somehow contribute to the obtainment of our objectives. This vile selfishness is the source of all crime, all disorder, all war, all sorrow and all ruin. Satan's evil is his own and he will give an account of it when he is judged. Men and women and children who aren't delivered from their spiritual ignorance through the blood of Christ shed on Calvary are pawns in the hands of Satan, and powerless against him. Satan is the father of all lies, and he makes the things he tempts mankind with look so beautiful and desirable that they are almost impossible to resist even for those who know the Lord. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that everyone who is redeemed can overcome the temptations of Satan and his demons, and only through that power. We do not have it in ourselves. Our flesh triumphs every time we try to win in our own strength, but praise God we are called to be “more than conquerors” through our Lord Jesus Christ and in his name and through his blood shed for us Satan is defeated.
1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.” Never underestimate Satan's power, and never forget that the only power we have over him is through the Holy Spirit and the name and the blood of Jesus Christ; not in ourselves.
Satan's Personality
There is much in scripture about Satan's personality and character. The notes below are borrowed from The Great Doctrines of the Bible by William Evans.
John 8:44 – “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
1 John 3:8 – “He that commiteth sin is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning.” Satan is described as a murder, a liar and a sinner – all elements of personality. He had the “power of death” (Hebrews 2:14), and is the “prince of this world.”
“The narrative of Satan in Job (chapters 1 and 2) strongly emphasize his personality. He is as much a person as the sons of God, Job and even God himself. Zechariah 3:1, 2:1 and 1 Chronicles 21:1 and Psalms 109:6 emphasize the personality of Satan.Through all these scriptures the masculine pronoun is used of Satan, and the attributes and qualities of personality are ascribed to him. Unless we veto the testimony of the scriptures we must admit that Satan is is a real person. How can anyone read the story of the temptation of Christ (Matthew 4:1-11) and fail to realize both parties in the wilderness conflict were persons – Christ a person, Satan a person?”
The Great Doctrines Of The Bible by William Evans
It is my “opinion” that Satan has been filled with evil and hatred and every other vice since being thrown out of Heaven, and he has had centuries of being filled with grief, hatred for Jesus, hatred for God's people and a vengeance against all good so that his countenance must match his attitudes and his personality has to be absolutely and completely warped.
Satan's Place and Power
1. A mighty angel
“He was such and probably is yet. Jude 8-9 – “They speak evil of dignities, yet Michael the archangel when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, the Lord rebuke thee. Daniel 10 shows that Satan has power to oppose one of the chief angels (vs. 12,13 in particular). In Luke 11:21 Christ calls Satan a strong man armed. He is the prince of this world. (John 14:30)”
2. Prince of the power of the air
“Ephesians 2:2 'the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.' Ephesians 6:11-12 tells us; "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Note: Flesh and blood refers to human beings). He is also prince of the demons or fallen angels, Matthew 12:24, Luke 11:14-18. There is doubtless an allusion here to the fact that the world of evil spirits is organized and that Satan is at its head.”
3. The god ("little g") of this world
“2 Corinthians 4:4 – 'In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not.' He is the prince of this world' (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11, Ephesians 2:1). Satan is not only the object of the world's worship, but also the spirit of its godless activities.”
Satan's Limitations from my personal notes
Some believe that Satan doesn't exist or that he is a little creature with a pitchfork and horns and harmless. Christians know that he is very real and that he is active in the lives of all mankind through temptations.
What are the limitations of Satan's power over humanity if any? Is he so irresistible that mankind is a mere pawn in his hands or can mankind exercise power over him while in this mortal body?
The person who has never turned to and trusted Christ for their salvation has no power over Satan. That person is a mere pawn in Satan's hands because they either refuse to believe he exists or they have ideas about Satan that have no basis in scripture. Some people who are willing to listen to Satan's lies believe they are actually in control of their destiny, and the devil is more than willing to encourage them to continue on in that belief. The problem with that belief is that a small virus, a bullet, a car accident and other “unexpected events” in our lives can take that control out of our hands instantly. The unregenerate mind is numbed to its own peril and could continue on until death, and then harsh reality overtakes them and they are lost forever. The great news is that we don't have to stay in the world of illusion Satan has created. “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
On the other side of the picture is the child of God who is not ignorant of the devil's devices and schemes, but even then we can be tempted and yield. Salvation is not a cure all for life promising freedom from the power of Satan. Once again, scripture tells us, “resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Verse 8 goes on to say, draw night to God and he will draw nigh to you.” The key to victory over the devil and our propensity to sin is found in drawing close to God and internalizing his word. Then, like our Lord Jesus Christ, when Satan tempted him with sin, we can say, “It is written...” and overcome every temptation of Satan. His power is limited in those who are mature in their faith and believe God's Word to be absolute truth.