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Article 0158 - Biblical Descriptions of Satan
Satan is the name worn by the world's spiritual foe (I Chronicles 21:1; Matthew 4:10). This word is from satanas in the Greek which means adversary (one who is the enemy of and hostile to mankind). Satan is also designated by the word devil (Ephesians 6:11). The Greek word here is diabolos and means "slanderer." Satan seeks to slander (malign) God and man to one another.
In the scriptures there are a number of other ways Satan is described. These descriptions reveal his purpose, his presence and the magnitude of his power. The Holy Spirit depicts Satan in quite vivid fashion, providing us a comprehensive picture of how he functions. The Bible teaches that Satan is real and that he tempts people to sin - - this shows us that he is actively and continually working to entice people to sin.
Why did Satan tempt Adam and Eve to sin? It was because he knew of their loving relationship with God - - a relationship he also once enjoyed. Satan knew that his rebellion against God deprived him of that bond and that he would spend eternity separated from God. Adam and Eve were enjoying God's blessings and he wanted them to become as he now was - in rebellion to God. Even today Satan's attitude has not changed - - he is still jealous of any and all who follow the Divine Creator.
Below is a list of the Biblical descriptions of Satan, taken from the King James Version.
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Biblical Descriptions of Satan
Jon Gary Williams
In the scriptures there are a number of other ways Satan is described. These descriptions reveal his purpose, his presence and the magnitude of his power. The Holy Spirit depicts Satan in quite vivid fashion, providing us a comprehensive picture of how he functions. The Bible teaches that Satan is real and that he tempts people to sin - - this shows us that he is actively and continually working to entice people to sin.
We believe Satan is lurking about in this world, but how convinced are we that Satan is real to us personally? How aware are we on a daily basis that he is nearby and watching us? While we believe the Bible's words that Satan is the "god of this world" (II Corinthians 4:4) and that he uses the world to enslave people to sin, could it be that we may not fully appreciate his proximity to us?
Indeed, Satan is near to each one of us, but if we fail to fully grasp this reality we place ourselves in danger. To think of Satan as being some distance from us is to do exactly what he wants. It behooves every child of God to know that Satan is always near and that he uses every weapon at his disposal to take advantage of us (Ephesians 6:16; II Corinthians 2:11).
Why did Satan tempt Adam and Eve to sin? It was because he knew of their loving relationship with God - - a relationship he also once enjoyed. Satan knew that his rebellion against God deprived him of that bond and that he would spend eternity separated from God. Adam and Eve were enjoying God's blessings and he wanted them to become as he now was - in rebellion to God. Even today Satan's attitude has not changed - - he is still jealous of any and all who follow the Divine Creator.
Below is a list of the Biblical descriptions of Satan, taken from the King James Version.
Abaddon - Revelation 9:11
This Hebrew word means "destruction."
Accuser - Revelation 12:10
He accuses man before God
Adversary - I Peter 5:8
This is from antidikos in the Greek, and means to accuse. It is different from the word for Satan (satanas).
Angel of light - II Corinthians 11:14
Though darkness is the habitat of Satan, he changes himself to have the appearance of light in order to deceive people.
Beelzebub - Matthew 12:24
This was the heathen god of Ekron (II Kings 1:2)
Belial - II Corinthians 6:15
A word meaning all that is worthless and corrupt.
Captor - II Timothy 2:26
Deceiver - Revelation 12:9 Satan seizes some and leads them into captivity. The word here is plano in the Greek and refers to leading someone astray.
Dragon - Revelation 12:9
This term reveals Satan for the hideous monster that he is. In the book of Revelation the word is used twelve times.
Enemy - Matthew 13:39
He is the enemy who sowed tares.
Father of lies - John 8:44
"When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."
Fowler - Psalms 91:3
This description is attributed to Satan because he sets traps as do literal fowlers.
God of this world - II Corinthians 4:4
Satan does not actually rule the world, but rules over the sinfulness of the world.
Liar (the father of it) - John 8:44
Lying began with Satan. In his effort to cause man to sin he continues his lying.
Lion - I Peter 5:8
Satan is likened to the vicious prowling of a lion searching and devouring his prey.
Murderer - John 8:44
The word murderer refers to spiritual death, which began when Satan tempted Adam and Eve.
Perverter of the scriptures - Genesis 3:1-5 Matthew 4:6
Satan perverted scripture in the garden of Eden and also with Jesus in the wilderness. (Though the word "perverter" does not appear, these passages convey this thought.)
Prince of the world - John 12:31
World is from kosmos, referring to the earth on which man lives. Satan rules over the sinfulness found in the world.
Prince of the air - Ephesians 2:2
Air (aer) is the atmosphere wherein man lives, again meaning that Satan rules over the sinfulness found there.
Serpent - Genesis 3:1 Revelation 20:2
This word describes the true, evil nature of Satan. It points to his subtlety, his cunningness in deceiving people.
Sinner (from the beginning) - I John 3:8
Because he is the originator of sin, Satan is the epitome of sinners. He leads the way for all who sin.
Sower of tares - Matthew 13:25, 39
Tares (zizanion) grow in grain fields and are like wheat in appearance. They contaminate wheat as Satan contaminates man.
Tempter - Matthew 4:3 I Thessalonians 3:5
This description of Satan reveals his ultimate intent, that of turning people away from God.
Wicked - Matthew13:38 I John 5:18,19
This word is from poneros, referring to Satan's gross wickedness and malignant evil.
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