What is it like living with Satan? Noah endured all the people of the world who followed Satan for many years until the flood. Lot was vexed in his soul living among evil people in Sodom and Gamorrha. Jesus told certain Jews they were the sons of Satan. Their behaviors imitated the works of Satan. Peter speaks of evil teachers living among us. In truth, there are many people who are followers of Satan. How may we know? Matthew 7:13-14. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. They are all around us; are you one of them? Or, are you associated with another who is a son or daughter of Satan; as Jesus pointed out to the Jews. (as we shall see in a moment)
What traits might we have, or perhaps those whom we are connected to that are not from God but are from Satan? Scripture clearly illustrates the evil traits of Satan. It is of these which shall keep a soul from eternal life with the father. Only one sin may keep a soul from enjoying heaven and find themselves alienated from their Creator. Therefore, to the ones who desire to live righteously, we must abstain from these.
Let us read the story where Jesus told them this. John 8:30-47.
30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Jesus said Satan is a liar and the truth is not in him. (vs. 44) He also says one cannot hear the truth because of their life as the servant of Satan. Satan has shut their ears to understanding and blinded their eyes to seeing the love of God sharing The Truth. Thus evil souls cannot hear and acknowledge The Truth because they are not of God. (vs. 47)
Another trait of Satan is deception. In the beginning, Satan, the serpent, deceived Eve, the first woman made, and sin entered mankind. Translated in the KJV is the term beguile(d). Genesis 3:13. 13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
The Hebrew term is used as: to beguile, deceive; to be beguiled, deceived. Satan introduced this evil trait to mankind from the beginning. It is now used regularly by mankind. It has become common and in many business dealings, expected practice.
The very nature of Satan is being a deceiver. He makes things look truthful but in reality they are a lie. Some have believed lies. Apostle Paul was concerned this may happen. Colossians 2:4. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. Satan has deceived many to speak easy comforting words which change the truth into a lie. Many desire to hear these words.
Let us read another passage which shows the condition of many deceiving and being deceived; including the condition of their lives. Romans 1:18-32.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 3 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
All of these evil traits were caused by the deception of Satan. Being unable to hear the truth because of Satan’s hardening of one’s soul or heart, God has allowed all forms of debauchery to inflict mankind.
How many behave in these manners? Are you guilty? Are you living with this evil trait? Is someone near you doing the same? Is it so developed in your life you cannot see it?
Another evil trait of Satan which he has taught mankind is rebellion. Satan rebelled against God in heaven. He desired to be the sovereign king. He rebelled and killed in heaven. Thus, Satan was thrown out of heaven and he immediately began to pursue the offspring of human women. Satan became the adversary of all that is good: God and humanity.
Revelation 12:1-9. 12 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Satan always rebelled against God. He caused war because he did not kill the begotten of God, the man child. (vs. 5) He wanted power over all things, but now an heir to the throne was born. He would never obtain the desired power. He then committed murder and was cast out of Heaven. (John 8:44)
Satan is depicted as a thief. He deceives to steal souls from God. In John 10, Jesus tells a parable of a shepherd and his sheep. The sheep are the souls belonging to God. The shepherd is the protector of God’s sheep, The Lord Jesus Christ. The thief is depicting Satan. Let us read: John 10:1-10.
10 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Trying to obtain something by any way other than a righteous manner is depicted as a trait of Satan; a thief. If deception or a direct lie is used, the traits of Satan are used. These are not righteous behaviors God approves.
Are you living with Satan? Has Satan entered you? Perhaps you are living near another who displays these evil traits. Apostle Paul instructed Timothy, as well as righteous persons today, to teach and rebuke evil behaviors. 2 Timothy 4:1-3. 4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
1 Timothy 5:20. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Apostle Paul to Titus: Titus 1:10-16. 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Satan has polluted the minds of so many. We must be on guard against his evil traits and not allow them to be a part of our lives. Rebuking the evil traits of Satan will perhaps do this:
Galatians 6:1. 6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
One spiritual has the potential to save others from the grasp of Satan. However, they must be careful not to be overcome by the same evilness.
Stand firm in the righteousness of God and purge Satan from your lives. Do not be partaker in his evil traits.
