Devil, Satan,Evil, Demonic

Devil, Satan, Evil, Demonic: The personal dimension of that which opposes God's purposes in this world. Satan was the chief of the fallen angels. It is clear that from the very moment of the creation of the world that Satan and his fallen angels were on the scene rebelling against God. Satan was evidently perfect in his original state. Pride overcame him and he fell. Disquised as a serpent He was the agent of temptation for Adam and Eve. When Satan does appear in the Old testament he is always the adversary or opponent of God's people. He seeks to lead God's people into overstepping God's bounds or slanders them to God's face. The most extensive work of Satan is in Job. Here he tests human loyalty.

By the time the New testament was written God had led their the authors to a clear cut doctrine of Satan. This doctrine located an origin of evil in Satan. Matthew, Mark, and Luke clearly accept and teach a doctrine of a personal Satan and his agents called fallen angels or demons. Matthew tells of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness.(Matt. 4:1). In Matt. 25:41 even hell is described as being ready for the devil and his agents. Satan possessed Judas (Luke 22:3) John described Satan as the prince of this world with all the world in his power. (John 12:31; 14:30). (1 John 5:19). Paul teaches that Satan is the god of this age.

The general New Testament Epistles describes Satan's activities graphically. The angel that sinned (2 Peter 2 :4). Angels kept not their first estate (Jude 6:6).

Revelation describes Satan's activites as involving not only individuals but communities. Politicians, and government can and some have become servants of the devil. (Rev. 12:13). (Rev.2:13) speaks of a throne of Satan.

The New Testament teaches that Satan and his allies are not coequal with God. Satan is a created being who has rebelled and can tempt, but he cannot force. Satan and his demonic forces have been overcome by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the end Satan and his angels will be completely overcome. Jesus came into the world to destroy the works of the devil. The cross was a decisive victory over Satan and all his angels.

Today, some continue to hang on to their fears and sins. They want a scapegoat to deliver them from responsibility. Satan is a created, rebellious, and tempting evil power active in the world today. But his powerful existance does not exclude a person from responsibility for their wrong doings. Satan and the demonic forces cannot dominate or posess us except by our own consent. Believers will not be tempted beyond our power of resistance. (1 Cor.10:13). The power of Satan is limited.The Believer has the armor of God, the biblical gospel, integrity. peace through Christ, faith in Christ, prayer__as spiritual security. (Eph.6:11-18).

Knowledge about Satan and his evil agents keeps us alert to the danger and subtlety of Satanic temptation. We should not become too absorbed in satanic forces. They are active but limited.

The main thrust of Christianity is on the availability of God's power and love in Jesus Christ and the Spirit.