The truth about the Devil !!!
The Truth about the Devil Concerned reader, I submit that the devil is an actual entity or being, the worst enemy man has. In Jesus' encounter with the devil, the devil is presented as having mobility, thinking and speaking ability, and reasoning capability (Matt. 4: 1-3). The devil is also seen as possessing "authority" and the intellectual capacities to scheme, plot, and then accept defeat (vs. 4-11). The devil is even seen as having the gall and courage to seek to tempt the Son of God himself. Moreover, it is observed in Jesus' temptation that the devil is obsessed with causing man to worship him (vs. 9, 10). The devil has a number of names, each descriptive of his nature and work. He is called Satan (the adversary, I Pet. 5: 8), the tempter (he tempts man, Matt. 4: 3), and Beelzebub (Matt. 12: 24). He is also known as "the wicked one" and the "great dragon" (Matt. 13: 19; Rev. 12: 9). Devil is translated from the Greek diabolos, which means accuser (more later, Jn. 8: 44). The origin of the devil. The Bible does not provide any specific and detailed information relative to the origin of the devil. In the oldest book of the Bible, Satan appears along with "the sons of God" (Job 1: 6). He is present in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3: 1 ff). From "the beginning" the devil was a murderer, a liar, and "abode not in the truth" (Jn. 8: 44). It appears to be a necessary inference that the devil was created (Col. 1: 16). Since God manifestly did not create the devil innately evil, the devil must have chosen to oppose rather than serve God. There are actually three views as to the devil's origin. The devil was created either as man or some life form and phenomenally evolved to almost possess God like abilities. There is no intimation of such in the scriptures to even allow this view as being perceived as plausible. A necessary inference to suggest such a view is precluded because this view presents contradictions as far as the Genesis' account of creation (Gen. 1 - 3). The devil was one of the Godhead who went bad. This view is blasphemy. God inherently and innately is good and cannot "go bad" (I Jn. 4: 8, Heb. 6: 18, Jas. 1: 13). The devil is a fallen angel. The devil is associated with angels (Job 1: 6, Matt. 25: 41). Also, there were angels who sinned and were "cast down" (2 Pet. 2: 4). The devil is obviously "superior" to man (Gen. 3: 1, Heb. 2: 9). While the Bible does not tell us in plain words (explicit teaching) as to the origin of the devil, it does appear he was an angel. One, perhaps of very high rank, who sinned (see addendum 1). It should also be observed that correctly speaking, there is only one devil (see addendum 2). The devil is the very epitome of evil and is responsible for all temptation (Eph. 6: 11, Jn. 8: 44). The devil enjoys limited power. It is apparent that with the temptation and fall of man, there were changes made regarding the devil (Gen. 3: 14). However, the devil has always been limited. In Job's case, the devil was granted special power (Job 1: 8-11, 12). Even then, though, Job's free moral agency was not denied (Job 1 ff). However, the devil is powerful and influential. So much so that he is referred to as the god and prince of this world (2 Cor. 4: 4; Jn. 12: 31). The devil, notwithstanding, can be resisted. James wrote, "…Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (Jas. 4: 7). In order for the devil to succeed, man must "give place" to the devil (Eph. 4: 27, see addendum 3). How the devil works today. God and the devil both seek to influence man, in totally opposite directions. God seeks to influence for good and the devil attempts to cause man to sin. The devil appears to be more direct in his appeal to man, while God works through mediums such as the word (cp. Gal. 6: 1; Jn. 6: 44, 45). Also, on the surface, doing evil requires less effort than doing right (cp. Matt. 7: 13, 14). The devil chiefly works through d
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The Truth about the Devil Concerned reader, I submit that the devil is an actual entity or being, the worst enemy man has. In Jesus' encounter with the devil, the devil is presented as having mobility, thinking and speaking ability, and reasoning capability (Matt. 4: 1-3). The devil is also seen as possessing "authority" and the intellectual capacities to scheme, plot, and then accept defeat (vs. 4-11). The devil is even seen as having the gall and courage to seek to tempt the Son of God himself. Moreover, it is observed in Jesus' temptation that the devil is obsessed with causing man to worship him (vs. 9, 10). The devil has a number of names, each descriptive of his nature and work. He is called Satan (the adversary, I Pet. 5: 8), the tempter (he tempts man, Matt. 4: 3), and Beelzebub (Matt. 12: 24). He is also known as "the wicked one" and the "great dragon" (Matt. 13: 19; Rev. 12: 9). Devil is translated from the Greek diabolos, which means accuser (more later, Jn. 8: 44). The origin of the devil. The Bible does not provide any specific and detailed information relative to the origin of the devil. In the oldest book of the Bible, Satan appears along with "the sons of God" (Job 1: 6). He is present in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3: 1 ff). From "the beginning" the devil was a murderer, a liar, and "abode not in the truth" (Jn. 8: 44). It appears to be a necessary inference that the devil was created (Col. 1: 16). Since God manifestly did not create the devil innately evil, the devil must have chosen to oppose rather than serve God. There are actually three views as to the devil's origin. The devil was created either as man or some life form and phenomenally evolved to almost possess God like abilities. There is no intimation of such in the scriptures to even allow this view as being perceived as plausible. A necessary inference to suggest such a view is precluded because this view presents contradictions as far as the Genesis' account of creation (Gen. 1 - 3). The devil was one of the Godhead who went bad. This view is blasphemy. God inherently and innately is good and cannot "go bad" (I Jn. 4: 8, Heb. 6: 18, Jas. 1: 13). The devil is a fallen angel. The devil is associated with angels (Job 1: 6, Matt. 25: 41). Also, there were angels who sinned and were "cast down" (2 Pet. 2: 4). The devil is obviously "superior" to man (Gen. 3: 1, Heb. 2: 9). While the Bible does not tell us in plain words (explicit teaching) as to the origin of the devil, it does appear he was an angel. One, perhaps of very high rank, who sinned (see addendum 1). It should also be observed that correctly speaking, there is only one devil (see addendum 2). The devil is the very epitome of evil and is responsible for all temptation (Eph. 6: 11, Jn. 8: 44). The devil enjoys limited power. It is apparent that with the temptation and fall of man, there were changes made regarding the devil (Gen. 3: 14). However, the devil has always been limited. In Job's case, the devil was granted special power (Job 1: 8-11, 12). Even then, though, Job's free moral agency was not denied (Job 1 ff). However, the devil is powerful and influential. So much so that he is referred to as the god and prince of this world (2 Cor. 4: 4; Jn. 12: 31). The devil, notwithstanding, can be resisted. James wrote, "…Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (Jas. 4: 7). In order for the devil to succeed, man must "give place" to the devil (Eph. 4: 27, see addendum 3). How the devil works today. God and the devil both seek to influence man, in totally opposite directions. God seeks to influence for good and the devil attempts to cause man to sin. The devil appears to be more direct in his appeal to man, while God works through mediums such as the word (cp. Gal. 6: 1; Jn. 6: 44, 45). Also, on the surface, doing evil requires less effort than doing right (cp. Matt. 7: 13, 14). The devil chiefly works through d
Isaac Sandifer Jr.
Cleophas Reaves Jr.
