Is there really a Devil?

He is constantly mentioned throughout God's Word.

• Who he is.
  • Some of the angels sinned, and fell from their original glory. They are doomed by God, although very active at the present. Jude 1:6, 2 Pet 2:4. The Devil is the leader of these Rev 8:11, 9:1 The cause of his fall was his pride, and since then he has sinned continuously, dealing especially in lies. 1 Tim 3:6, 1 Jn 3:8, Jn 8:44.
• He is called by a multitude of names, each one telling us something about him:-
  • Satan (adversary). Matt 16:23
  • The wicked one 1 John 2:13
  • The prince of the devils. Matt 9:34
  • The prince of the power of the air. Eph 2:2
  • Beelzebub Matt 12:24,27
  • The god of this world. 2 Cor 4:4
  • The tempter Matt 4;3, 1 Thess 3:5
  • The dragon Rev 12:3-4
  • The old serpent Rev 12:9
• He has immense power, and we would do well to remember this. The whole world is in his power, for every unconverted person is under his rule, and, the rule of his agents. Matt 4:8. Jn 12:31. Eph 2:2-3, 6:12. 1 Jn 5:19.
  • unconverted men and women are the Devil's children Jn 8:44, 1 Jn 3:10.
  • He .imprisons and blinds. those whom he controls. Acts 26:18, 2 Cor 4:4, Luke 11:21-22.
  • He is so powerful that we are to pray for daily deliverance from him. Matt 6:13 ( see Jn 17:15).
• What he is like.
  • He is the declared enemy of everything which is to do with God. Matt 16:23, Acts 13:10.
  • He is entirely wicked. There is no truth in him. Jn 8:44, 1 Jn 2:13-14.
  • His ways are subtle, deceitful and often disguised. Genesis 3:1 2 Cor 11:3-4, 13-15
  • He is filled with pride. Job 1:6, Matt 4:5-6, 1 Tim 3:6.
  • He is a false accuser. Job 1:6-12, 2:4 Rev 12:9-11.
  • He is cruel, and devoid of compassion. Luke 8:29, 9:37-42.
  • He is a murderer John 8:44, 1 John 3:12.
  • And his activity never ceases 1 Pet 5:8, Rev 12:10.
• What he does
  • Sin came into the world by him; he continues to sin himself; and he stirs up sin. Genesis 3. Job 1:7, 2:2. 1 Jn 3:8.
  • False beliefs and anti-Christian movements and feeling are caused by him. 1 Tim 5:15. 2 Thess 2:9.
  • All lies, pretended signs and wonders and deceptions, come from him. Jn 8:44. 2 Thess 2:9-10. Rev 3:9, 16:14.
  • He even sometimes uses Scripture to bring about his wicked plans. Matt 4:6. 2 Cor 11:3-4, 13-15.
  • He causes professed believers to betray Jesus. John 13:2.
  • He uses even believers as his agents, when they depend on their own reason, and do not rely on God's revelation. Mk 8:33.
  • He opposes God's work, and is particularly against the preaching of the Gospel. Matt 13:19, 39, 1 Thess 2:17-18. 2 Cor 4:3-6.
• What he does.
  • Sin came into the world by him; he continues to sin himself, and he stirs up sin. Genesis 3, Job 1:7, 2:2. 1 John 3:8.
  • False beliefs and anti-Christian movements and feelings are caused by him. I Tim 5:15. 2 Thess 2:9.
  • All lies, pretended signs and wonders, and deceptions, come from him. John 8:44. 2 Thess 2:9-10.. Rev 3:9, 16:14.
  • He even sometimes uses Scripture to bring about his wicked plans. Matt 4:6. 2 Cor 11:3-4, 13-l5.
  • He causes professed believers to betray Jesus. John 13:2.
  • He uses even believers as his agents, when they depend on their own reason, and do not rely on God's revelation. Mk 8:33.
  • He opposes God's work, and is particularly against the preaching of the Gospel. Matt 13:19,39. 1 Thess 2:17-18. 2 Cor 4:3-6.
  • We must now concentrate on one specific area of his activity :-
• The Devil and the Christian.
  • He is the enemy of Christians, and is constantly seeking opportunities to bring them down. 2 Cor 2:11, Eph 6:11, 1 Pet 5:8-9.
  • He does not give up at the first attempt, but brings one temptation after another, never resting. Matt 4:1-10. 1 Pet 5:8-9.
  • His methods are usually these:-
    • telling about the pleasures of sin, but not the consequences. Gen 3:4.
    • specialising in half-truths. Gen 3:5.
    • appealing to the desires of the body. Gen 3. Matt 4:2-3. 1 Cor 7:5;
    • making selfish suggestions. Luke 4:3.
    • trying to make the Scriptures be misunderstood. Luke 4:9-11.
    • sowing doubts. Luke 4:5-7.
    • pretending to be a 'godsend'. 2 Cor 11:14.

BUT:-

• Christ has defeated Satan.
  • He had no power over Christ, for his power is inferior to Christ's Jn 14:30. Luke 11:20-22
  • By his life and death, the Lord Jesus Christ defeated the Devil and destroyed his works. Heb 2:14, 1 Jn 3:8.
  • It was at the Cross that the victory was won! Col 2:15
• Christ has bound Satan.
  • His power has been given to him, and can only be used within bounds set by God. Luke 4:6. Job l:1-12, 2:1-6.
  • For instance, He cannot steal those whom the Father has given to the Son Jn 17:15.
  • Even his activity serves to accomplish God's ultimate purposes 1 Cor 5:5, 2 Cor 12:7.
• Christ has doomed Satan.
  • He will be crushed. Rom 16:20.
  • He will be cast into Hell. Rev 20:10, Matt 25:41.

THEREFORE :-

As Christ's people we do not need to fear the Devil. If we resist him, he will flee from us. James 4:7.

Taking up the armour of God and the weapons He has given us, we cannot be defeated, but can confidently advance against this wicked foe. Eph 6:10-20.

We overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. Rev 12:11.