Then The Devil Came

It is exciting to see new believers who have trusted Christ for salvation, or those who have rededicated their lives to Christ. It is encouraging to note some who have renewed their devotional lives, and who are manifesting marks of Christian maturity. Every godly minister, pastor, and church leader yearns for such things.There is one, however, who does not like to see growing Christians. The Christian has an enemy who doesn’t like our spiritual progress. That enemy, Satan, wants to hinder or reverse our journey to higher ground. He is an adversary, who would like nothing better than to see us fall from our profession of faith in Christ. He is determined to obstruct every positive, upward work of the Church of Jesus Christ.Many through the ages have denied the existence of a real devil. Yet the Bible speaks of Satan again and again. Many Bible books refer to him. The Lord Jesus Himself spoke of the reality of the devil, and had a number of encounters with either Satan himself, Satan’s minions, or his works. To ignore Satan’s reality seems to be a deliberate neglect of the Bible’s teaching. Millard Erickson writes, “It is clear from the Bible that a serious and intense struggle is going between, on the one side, Christ and His followers, and, on the other, Satan and his forces” (Christian Theology, p. 450).On the other hand, a morbid fascination with the prince of darkness is out of order for the Christian. We must remember that true believers need not fear him or his associates. He is a defeated foe. He can do nothing that God does not expressly allow. He can be resisted, and will flee from us (James 4:7)-—when we are operating in the power of the Holy Spirit.

There will come a time when the devil will have his last hurrah. He will try his utmost to deprive Christ of ultimate victory. However, Satan will be swept away, “cast into the lake of fire and brimstone” and will be “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). Satan is a created being, and must give account to his Creator. We may not understand the whole picture, but God is God and always will be God—even over the devil (Revelation 11:15).

Brother Harold surveys the Bible teaching on Satan in the accompanying essay. Read it prayerfully, and take heed to the warning and encouragement. –

—Craig Alan Myers

Then The Devil Came

By Harold S. Martin

One of the speakers at the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in 2005 used the word “pernicious” in the message. The use of that word brought back memories of one of the questions which over the years has been asked of applicants for baptism: “Do you willingly renounce Satan, with all his pernicious ways, and all the sinful pleasures of the world?” The question was formed at the Annual Meeting in 1848 and was still included in the 1948 edition of the Minister’s Manual.The writer of an article in Time magazine entitled “No Sympathy for the Devil,” in essence says that literal belief in the devil is widely viewed by theologians “as a holdover” from the Dark Ages (March 19, 1990). A Newsweek writer in an article entitled “Giving the Devil His Due” says that “belief in the devil is clearly embedded in Christian tradition. Jesus evidently believed in him; so did the early church fathers…but that belief has faded among many Roman Catholic and mainline Protestants today” (August 30, 1982).Most Christians would much prefer to speak about the Lord Jesus than about His enemy the devil. But God has revealed truth about His great adversary in the Bible, and every believer should be familiar with the biblical facts about his person, his power, and his activities. All of the New Testament writers refer to Satan. Of the twenty-nine specific references to the devil in the Gospels, Jesus is speaking in twenty-five of them.

Satan beguiles and seduces and opposes and deceives and tempts and blasphemes. He is a personal being, having his own synagogue (Revelation 2:9), his own gospel (Galatians 1:6), his own ministers (2 Corinthians 11:14-15), and his own doctrines (1 Timothy 4:1). He even has his own communion service (1 Corinthians 10:21). Satan seeks to hinder our Christian testimony. Satan has often been made the butt of a joke, but in reality he should be taken seriously.

How the devil came to be the devil, is not quite as clear in the Scriptures, as is the fact that he definitely exists. When interpreting the parable of the tares, Jesus said, “The enemy who sowed them is the devil” (Matthew 13:39). Jesus taught that Satan is a real person.

Bible believers should have no question about the existence of the devil. Jesus taught that the devil is real (Matthew 25:41). The Apostle John writes about the devil (John 13:2). Paul speaks of “the wiles” of the devil (Ephesians 6:11) and of “the devices” of the devil (2 Corinthians 2:11). Early Brethren had no problem believing that Satan is a very real enemy of God. L W. Teeter says, “Satan is the chief adversary,” and then he continues by saying that Jesus gave the disciples a gentle rebuke, telling them that they were rejoicing that ordinary demons were subject to them, but He .(Jesus) “had seen the chief devil fall” (New Testament Commentary, Volume 1, Brethren Publishing House, 1894, page 233).

We should be convinced also about the personality of the devil. Satan is a spirit being without a physical body. Personality can exist without a body. The devil has the characteristics of personality—-intelligence (2 Corinthians 11:3), emotions (Revelation 12:17), and a will (2 Timothy 2:26). A concrete bridge does not have these characteristics, but then a concrete bridge is not a person either. The Apostle Peter uses a personal pronoun when describing the devil (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is a personal creature who has limitations that God placed upon him (Job 1:12).

1. THE NAMES AND CHARACTER OF THE DEVIL

There are a number of words used to describe the adversary—the enemy of God and of God’s people. The teaching of Jesus on the parable of the sower (and the soils) is recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In their parallel accounts, each designates the enemy by the use of a different name. Matthew says, “then the wicked one comes” (13:19). Mark says, “Satan comes immediately” (4:15). Luke says, “then the devil comes” (8:12). In the Bible, there are more than a dozen names for the enemy. Some of the more common titles used to describe him are these:

Satan–means “adversary” or “opponent” (1 Peter 5:8). Numbers 22:22 describes the word “adversary” as one who takes a stand against another. Satan is the adversary of both God and man.

The Devil–is a term that indicates “an accuser” or “a slanderer”” (Revelation 12:9-10). Satan slanders God to man (Genesis 3:1-5) and also man to God (Job 1:9-11).

The Tempter–means that Satan tempts and solicits men and women to sin (1 Thessalonians 3:5; Matthew 4:3). He is cunning and subtle and tempts human beings in their weak moments (Luke 22:40-46); he tempts after great successes (John 6:15); he tempts by suggesting the use of right things in the wrong way (Matthew 4:1-11), and by putting evil suggestions into the minds of believers (Acts 5:3).

The Wicked One–indicates the kind of work Satan does. He is the father of lies and a murderer (John 8:44). He is “the serpent,” “the god of this world,” and “the prince of the power of the air.” In order to promote his evil work he can appear as a serpent (Revelation 12:9), as a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), or as an attractive angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). These abilities make him more deceptive in carrying out his program of evil.

There are far-reaching results if we deny the personality and activity of the devil. For example, if the devil is not real, then the Bible account of the fall (Genesis 3) is untrue, and so the Scriptures are invalid. If the devil is not real, man is not incriminated in the fall of Adam, and therefore we are not sinners. It follows then, that humans do not have a depraved Adamic nature, but instead have something good within that only needs to be cultivated. If the fall in the Garden of Eden is a myth, there is no need for the atonement of Christ. And in the end, the doctrine of future punishment is a myth—no devil, no sin, no atonement, and no hell.

2. THE WORK AND ACTIVITY OF THE DEVIL

The devil is not the imaginary repulsive character that people often picture him to be. Satan is a real person who will do all that he can to bring defeat into the lives of others. He is constantly battling for the souls of human beings. He does his work primarily by using deception. He has many subtle devices and many cunning ways to do his job.

Toward Christ

Satan tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11). Satan tried to sidetrack Jesus from achieving His true purpose, that of dying on the cross as a ransom for the sins of mankind (Matthew 16:23). Satan had part in the betrayal and the arrest of Jesus (John 13:27).

Among nations

Satan has been deceiving the nations (Revelation 20:3). He places a demon in charge of the various nations. Note the “prince” of Persia (Daniel 10:13) and the “prince” of Greece (Daniel 10:20). These co-workers of Satan stand against the angels who are faithful servants of God (See Daniel 12:1 and Daniel 10:13b). Demons are responsible for turmoil within world governments and account for many national movements and national hatreds (for example, the deeds of Hitler against the Jews, the ethnic hatreds that exist in most every country, and some believe he was behind the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima when Japan was ready to surrender anyhow). The account in Daniel 10 gives a brief picture of the struggles behind the struggles which are written on the pages of human history. Revelation 16:13-16 describes how in the end times Satan will gather the nations together to the Battle of Armageddon. A host of demonic spirits will assemble the kings of the whole world for battle on the great day of God Almighty. Satan in this age deceives the leaders of nations, but at some point in the future he will be chained in a bottomless pit so that he can no longer continue to deceive the nations (Revelation 20:3).

Among unbelievers

Satan blinds the minds of the unsaved so that they will not accept the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). He often does this by making persons think that there are many ways to heaven, and that one way is as good as the other. Also, when the Word of God is planted, then Satan comes and snatches it away (Luke 8:12). He takes away the Word from their hearts so that they will not believe and be saved. Jesus declares that the devil is a liar and “the father of lies” (John 8:44). He used the device of lying with Adam and Eve, and he has been using it effectively ever since. The unregenerate are deceived by Satan, who blinds their minds so that they will not see their need for salvation through faith in Christ. He frequently uses false teachers as his ministers to accomplish this goal (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Among believers

Satan will hinder the Christian’s work for God in any way possible (1 Thessalonians 2:18). He tempts the believer to commit acts of immorality (1 Corinthians 7:5). He sows tares among believers in order to dampen their testimony (Matthew 13:38-39). He tempted Ananias and Sapphira to lie, and he has used that tactic down through the years (Acts 5:3). Sometimes he incites persecution against believers to discourage them (Revelation 2:10). He causes strife and confusion among Christians to stifle their impact on others (James 3:15-16). It is one of Satan’s primary ambitions to overthrow the good testimony of God’s people (2 Corinthians 2:11). The Apostle Peter declares that the devil is an adversary who “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

The devil is wicked and evil by nature (1 John 2:13). He is supremely subtle (Genesis 3:1). He is a great pretender [that is, he is not what he seems to be] (2 Corinthians 11:14). He is more powerful than we, but he is not all powerful. The devil aims to destroy everything that is right and good. Yet in spite of all Bible teachings about the devil, many dismiss the idea of the devil as a personal being who can influence our lives.

3. SATAN’S HOST OF DEMON HELPERS

Satan was not alone in his fall from an exalted position. Many angels were involved in rebellion and likewise fell. These became wicked angels and are identified as Satan’s angels in Matthew 25:41. Some were confined immediately to judgment (Jude 6). Others were given freedom to oppose God and His people (Revelation 16:14). The detailed information about their fall is shrouded in mystery, although Isaiah 14:12-17 may be related to their fall.

The existence and nature of demons

Throughout the accounts given in the Gospels there are many references to evil spirits and demons. They too have the marks of personality. Though there is only one devil, there are multitudes of demons. They possess supernatural intelligence and strength.

Demons are very real (Deuteronomy 32:17; James 2:19). Jesus rebuked them (Mark 5:8) and spoke of their final doom (Matthew 25:41). Demons are spirit beings. The demon in Matthew 17:18 is called “an unclean spirit” in the parallel account in Mark 9:25. Demons have intelligence. They knew Jesus (Mark 1:24); they know their own eventual doom (Matthew 8:29); they promote a well-developed system of their own doctrines (1 Timothy 4:1-3).

The work and activity of demons

Demons extend Satan’s activity. Their sheer number (Mark 5:9) makes Satan seem omnipresent. Satan is a created being and is not therefore omnipresent, but because of the large number of helpers, his activity can be worldwide in scope at any given time. Demons can inflict infirmities (Matthew 9:32-33); they can subject human beings to temptation (2 Corinthians 11:3); they seduce humans into believing false teachings (1 Timothy 4:1). Demons promote the devil’s program. They oppose God and His plan for human redemption. They oppress human beings. They oppose the saints of God.

We must guard against regarding demons as being unreal in the spiritual realm. On the other hand, we should be cautious about giving undue attention to demons. We should not see a demon behind every tree, and neither should we attribute every evil thing that happens directly to the work of demons. Demon activity seems to have the strongest influence in those lands where the Christian faith has not made deep inroads.

The worship of demons by human beings

It hardly seems possible that men and women anywhere would worship the devil, but nonetheless it is a fact that people do worship demonic beings. Men and women can be found in actual conscious submission to evil spirits. Thousands of adherents to the Satanist cult live on every continent. Their beliefs center around three emotions—lust, vengeance, and greed. Their principles include statements like the following: “Be kind only to those who deserve it; seek vengeance when necessary rather than turn the other cheek; put yourself first and put others second.”

Some false concepts incited by demons

Necromancy is the belief that the spirits of the dead communicate with men. Attempts to communicate with the dead are expressly forbidden in Isaiah 8:19. God told Joshua to annihilate the Canaanites who practice necromancy (Deuteronomy 18:9-14). Astrology is the belief that if the moon influences the mighty oceans, then surely the stars and planets affect the tides of human lives. Astrologers claim that when a person discovers his place in the course of the stars, there will be a sense of order and peace in his life. Astrologers are ridiculed in Isaiah 47:12-13. Astrology amounts to Satan’s prognostication substituted for faith in a heavenly Father.

4. THE BELIEVER’S OPPOSITION TO THE DEVIL

Each of us is confronted daily with the snares, the tactics, the tricks, and the devices of the devil. He is “the god of this age” and walks up and down in this world seeking to drag men and women away from Christ. It seems that he is working overtime because he knows that his days are few. He is aware that shortly he will be cast into the Lake of Fire to be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10). But until that time—how can believers overcome his onslaughts? What is our resource against the strategies of the devil? The answer is found in James 4:7-8, where we read, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands…and purify your hearts.”

We are to submit ourselves to God (James 4:7a).

No person can resist the devil in his own power. We must commit our lives to God and have the Lord Jesus Christ dwelling within (Galatians 2:20). The message of Christian believers found in 1 John 4:4 is this: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” That is, Jesus Christ, who dwells within the believing Christian is greater than the devil who is the god of this world. W. H. Griffith Thomas told of an older man who was a helpless slave to alcoholic drinks, but one day he was converted and a wonderful change took place in his life. A friend who observed the change said to him, “So—you’ve got the mastery of the devil at last”—to which the older man replied, “No, but I’ve got the Master of the devil in my heart.”

The devil is a supernatural being, and it takes a supernatural power to respond to his devices. Jesus Christ is that power. It is impossible to overcome the devil without being a committed follower of Jesus Christ. We need to surrender our lives to God, and by faith become a new creation with new desires and new ambitions in life.

We are to resist the devil (James 4:7b).

We can resist the devil in the same way that Jesus resisted him when He was tempted in the wilderness. Jesus resisted Satan by appealing to the Scriptures. When the devil commanded Him to turn stones into bread, Jesus said, “It is written”—and He quoted the Scripture about not living by bread alone. When the devil told Him to jump off the pinnacle of the Temple, Jesus said, “It is written”—and He quoted the Scripture a-bout not tempting the Lord God. When Satan offered Him all the kingdoms of the world, Jesus said, “It is written”—and He quoted the Scripture about worshiping and serving only the Lord God. At each temptation Jesus resisted the devil’s appeal by quoting the Scriptures. He could have summoned ten thousand angels to His side. He could have displayed His own supernatural powers, but Jesus used the same weapon that is available to every one of us—-the Word of God.

This life is a testing ground, and the child of God is in conflict with the evil foes. God in sovereign wisdom allows Satan to head an army of demons to carry out a program of wickedness against His people—but we are not left without resources to defeat the foe. We have the Word of God (Psalm 119:105). We have the indwelling presence of Jesus (Galatians 2:20). We are indwelt by the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 6:19). We have the ministry of angels on our behalf (Hebrews 1:13-14). We have the armor provided for the spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-20). To ignore the weapons of our warfare against Satan and his kingdom is spiritual suicide. There are resources designed to help us live more and more victoriously as we mature in the Christian faith.

We sing “This is my Father’s World,” and so it is—by creation. All around us we can see the evidence and beauty of God’s glory, power, and wisdom. But during the present age, we can also see Satan’s work—what he does by fraud, deceit, and usurpation. I have at times considered doing wrong things; I have less frequently actually done bad things—but when I am struggling with temptation, I have a strong sense that I am being tempted by someone. This is not to say that Satan makes me do wrong things; I must make the choice, but the devil continues to goad and to show us the lure of the world and of fleshly desires. He is the “prince of this world” and “the god of this age.” one who is deceiving, lying, accusing, and tempting without ceasing.

With eyes wide open to the nature of things, we must constantly be aware that there are two realms—and that there is no excuse to stay in Satan’s world. As Christians, we have an obligation to live as children of light—being totally aware of the One who has redeemed us, and also alert to the deceptive tricks of the one who would damn the soul if we let him.

God is real. So are the devil and his army of demons. These enemies of God should not be made the subject of fun-loving jokes. Instead, we must do everything possible to deny these enemies the opportunity for gaining a foothold in our lives.