KNOW YOUR ENEMY
The Nature and Character of Satan
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. - John 10:10
God created Lucifer a perfect spirit being and He also gave him the ability to choose to follow good or evil. Lucifer chose to become Satan by allowing sin to mold his character. His rebellion against God sealed and hardened his evil nature, and now he opposes all that is good, right, and godly.
It is important to look at how the Bible describes the devil in order to have a better perspective of his nature and character.
The Accuser
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down”. - Revelation 12:10
The Adversary
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. - 1 Peter 5:8
The Ruler of this World
Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. - John 12:31
The God of this World
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” - Matthew 4:8-9
A Murderer and a Liar
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. - John 8:44
An Angel of Light
And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. - 2 Corinthians 11:14
The Tempter
For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. - 1 Thessalonians 3:5
The Wicked One
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. - Matthew 13:19
Has Power Over Death
Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. - Hebrews 2:14
The Author of Sin
Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; “but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. - Genesis 3:1-6
Places Wicked Purposes in the Hearts of People
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? - Acts 5:3
Personally Enters into People
Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” - John 13:27
Blinds the Minds of the Unbelieving
Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. - 2 Corinthians 4:4
Buffets God's Servants
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. - 2 Corinthians 12:7
Resists the Servants of God
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. - Zechariah 3:1
Sifts Christ's Disciples
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. - Luke 22:31
Casts Christ's Servants into Prison
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. - Revelation 2:10
Causes Sickness
So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath? - Luke 13:16
Lays Snares for Men
Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. - 1 Timothy 3:7
Sows Weeds in God's Field
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. - Matthew 13:19
