Satan: Real or Myth?
You might receive strange looks if you mention Satan or the Devil; however, most would not argue with the fact that there is an evil influence here on the earth. The effects of this evil influence can be seen all around us. Just watch the nightly news to recognize there are some very bad things happening in the world. There was a comedian years ago known for saying, “The devil made me do it.” The fact is the Bible tells us there is a devil. He is also referred to as Satan and was originally referred to as Lucifer- one of God’s guardian cherubs. He was exceedingly beautiful and the Bible shares that he became proud and arrogant because of his beauty (Ezekiel 28:14-17).
“For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. [14] I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’” (Isaiah 14:13-14 NLT)
He was expelled from the mountain of God to the earth and henceforth referred to as Satan. The Bible also tells us that Satan conspired with one-third of God’s heavenly angels to commit high treason with him and all were expelled from the presence of God. These fallen angels are now referred to as demons. Satan and his cohorts (demons) are here on earth. Satan is not omnipresent like God, so his demons help do his dirty work. They are against mankind because God so loves us and made us in His image. Satan’s desire is to hurt God in any way possible for expelling him from His presence.
Whether we admit it or not, our hearts know it to be true because throughout time there has been a quest of good versus evil. We see this same theme all through the entertainment industry in movies, video games, and even stories in the tabloids.
When we look at the names the Bible uses to refer to Satan, we get a better view of what he is like. The Bible uses the following names to describe Satan: Lucifer, ruler of demons, devil, deceiver, destroyer, liar, god of this world, accuser, prince of the power of the air, roaring lion, serpent, dragon, adversary, tempter, Beelzebub, Belial (also meaning worthless or wicked), and wicked one.
God provided everything good for Adam and Eve, the first of His creation. God gave only one restriction and that was to NOT eat from one particular tree in the garden. He even told them what the consequence would be: that they would die if they ate from the tree. God did not leave them to figure it out for themselves, but provided instruction. In the same way, God has also provided instruction for us, the Bible. Along with all the gifts God gave mankind, He also gave us a free will. We have the freedom to choose our own path and direction and that can only truly be obtained if we have the option to choose a different path.
Satan, being the “deceiver” and the “father of lies,” deceived Eve into believing that God was keeping something good from Adam and herself. He told her that if you eat of this tree you will be like God, yet God had already created them in His image. The deceiver is still deceiving the world today, and one of the biggest deceptions is that he does not exist. You cannot win against an opponent you do not engage or worse yet, if you do not even believe he exists. Satan is currently and temporarily “the god of this world” and imposes his influence here on the earth. He gained this role when he was able to get mankind to forfeit dominion by following his word while rebelling against God.
There are many things the “tempter” causes mankind to get engaged in to ruin lives and keep them from God. Here are just a few things that have caused many people to fall to great depths: gambling, alcohol, over-eating, drugs, adultery, hatred, pornography, and the list goes on. The Bible tells us that sin is pleasurable for a season but the end is death- death of finances, death of marriages and relationships, death of self-esteem, death of physical, mental or spiritual health, and again the list goes on. The first death was to man’s spirit when mankind was separated from God. Man is a spirit-being with a soul (mind, will, and emotions) and lives in a body. God did not lie when He said they would die if they ate of that particular tree. This death was a spiritual separation from their true life-source, God Himself. Their body and soul suffered a breakdown from the lack of God’s life-giving power and truth.
So much blame is placed on God because individuals refuse to acknowledge there is a destroyer. This even includes some Christians who do not realize there is a force that is opposing God here on earth. Consider this, the Bible says Jesus came to defeat the works of the devil. If Jesus had come to free us from his influence and rule, then we might want to consider there is another force at work. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
THE GOOD NEWS: The good news is that Jesus defeated Satan! All who receive Jesus can once again be connected to God along with the life and truth available through Jesus. If you are a child of God, you obtain authority through Jesus over the works of Satan. God wants us to have eyes to see and ears to hear and know truth. The Bible tells us that those who have not received Jesus have a veil that covers them and keeps them from understanding and seeing the truth. Believers can pray and ask God to help the lost (those without Jesus) know in their heart that God is real and desires a relationship with them. The free will that He has provided will not force any to come to Him and choose the path He has provided; it is our decision. Have you chosen His path, His Son Jesus? The Bible says today is the day of salvation! Once we exit this earth there will be no opportunity to choose and the lack of acceptance will be permanent. He loves you and has an eternity of goodness waiting for you. Do not delay, receive New Life Today!
See how to Receive New Life.
Reference Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 7:5
1 Corinthians 11:12-15
1 John 3:8
2 Corinthians 2:5-11
2 Corinthians 11:3
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Acts 5:3
John 8:44
John 10:10
James 4:7
Matthew 4:1-11
Matthew 16:23
Romans 16:20
Zechariah 3:1-2
1 Peter 5:8-9
Genesis 3:1-5
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Revelation 2:8-17
Revelation 12
Revelation 20:1-6
Ephesians 6:11-16
Luke 22:1-6
Job 1:6-12