Who Is Satan Series

We can learn a great deal about who Satan is by looking at the different names, titles, and representations of him throughout Scripture. His many names describe his activity, showing him to be a devious enemy.

1. Satan comes from the Hebrew word meaning" adversary" or "opposer. (Used 52 times- Zech. 3:1; Mt. 4: 10; Rev. 12:9; 20:2). He is a constant relentless opponent. 1 Peter 5:8 states, Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

2. He is the accuser. "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down" (Rev 12:10). Satans desire is to cause us to condemn ourselves. He wants to cause a believer to have a vagueness about what he has done wrong and seeks to keep him from knowing what to do about his sin. This is opposite to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts us of definite sins and shows us that through the shed blood of Christ there is cleansing and forgiveness.

3. Lucifer means "son of the morning, shining one, or light bearer" (Is 14:12). Though this describes him before his fall, Satan currently "transforms himself into an angel of light" to deceive the world (2 Cor. 11: 14), even the very elect (Mt. ).

4. He is called the dragon. This pictures his fierce nature and power to destroy. Rev 12:7, And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. [Rev. 12:.3,7, 9]

5. Devil (Mt. 4:1; 13:39; Eph. 4:27; 1 Pe 5:8; Rev. 12:9; 20:2), used 35 times, comes from the Greek word diabolos meaning "slanderer, accuser." Satan likes nothing better than to defame and slander Gods own before others.

6. He is called a murderer and a liar. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your fathers desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth,. for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies" Jn 8:44). Satan wants to murder believers and seeks to deceive us by lies.

7. He is the deceiver. "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur" (Rev 20:10). In all ways he can, Satan wants to lead us to believe that which is not true.

8. Satan is the Ruler of this world (Jn. 12:.31; 14:.30; 16:11). This title refers to his power over the evil world-system of men and demons. Jn 12:31, Now is the time for judgement on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. Satan operates as a powerful manipulator in the affairs of the world.

9. He is the Prince of the power of the air, which describes his pervasive spiritual influence. "You followed the ways of this world and of the ruler [prince] of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" (Ephesians 2:2). This would indicate that Satans realm of movement is in the atmosphere surrounding the earth. Christ ascended through Satans very realm to display openly His victory.