Satan wasn’t always called Satan. Originally, his name was Lucifer and he was one of the grandest cherubim in the heavenly hosts in heaven. Lucifer means ‘light bearer’ and Satan means ‘adversary’ in Hebrew. You can see the distinct differences in the meaning between the two names.
According to Ezekiel 28, Lucifer was wise and beautiful (Ezekiel 28:17). So beautiful in fact that Lucifer was adorned with precious stones and gold in the garden of Eden with God (Ezekiel 28:13). Lucifer was there with God in the garden. That says a lot. God had his most magnificent angel with Him when He was present in the garden of Eden.
So, what happened to Lucifer? It sounds like he had it all. He was wealthy, beautiful and had authority. Well, Lucifer wanted more. He wanted to be in God’s position of all glory. Lucifer wanted to be worshipped just like God. He became jealous and proud (Ezekiel 28:5). Lucifer also became violent and lawless (Ezekiel 28:16).
Lucifer wanted much, much more. Isaiah 14:13-14 outlines Lucifer’s goal. You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’
Lucifer developed a corrupt and unrighteous heart Ezekiel 28:18, so God kicked him out of heaven. Lucifer’s fall is described further in Isaiah 14:12. “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning [light-bringer], son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, You who have weakened the nations [king of Babylon]!“
God cast Lucifer to earth as recorded in Revelation 12:9. “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Jesus saw this event happen in Luke 10:18. “And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
After Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit drove Him to enter the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by Satan (Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:3-12).
Satan said to Jesus “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus responded with the Word of God to Satan by saying “Man does not live by bread alone.”
So Satan took Jesus and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and told Jesus “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus replied with scripture again “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.”
Then Satan took Jesus to the peak of the temple in Jerusalem and said to him if he is the Son of God to throw himself down. But this time, Satan also quoted the Bible (Psalm 91:11-12) by saying “He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,” and “On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus replied yet again with the Word “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Satan’s plan to tempt Jesus was thwarted. Jesus was too strong in the Word of God against Satan. Jesus also drew His strength from the angels that were ministering to Him whilst He was in the wilderness (Mark 1:13). When Satan left Jesus, angels arrived again to minister to Jesus (Matt. 4:11).
Satan’s plan is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He hated Jesus because He was the Son of God and Jesus represents everything that is pure, holy and good. But Jesus resisted Satan, and Satan fled (James 4:7).
Satan will use a variety of weapons against you. Disease, financial difficulties or maybe a marriage problem. His weapons are endless. He plans to defeat the children of God because he hates righteousness. But Isaiah 54:17 remind us that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Satan is no match for a Spirit-filled Christian.
The Bible tells us that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44, 2 Thes. 2:9). Satan is a deceiver (John 13:2) and he is the tempter (Gen. 3:1).
Satan wants domination, and currently, he’s doing a pretty good job of it. His web of destruction is evident in all aspects of society. Society is filled with morality problems such as abuse, murder, divorce, hate, adultery, theft, perversion and fornication. He has no problem breaking the commandments of God because he is lawless, and he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Sin is widespread in our society and this pleases Satan because he wants as many people as possible to turn away from God so he can have the worship. Satan wants people in bondage because if you’re a slave to sin, then you’re not worshipping the one true God, and that’s Jesus Christ (John 12:31).
The war is real, and it’s between the children of God and the adversary, Satan. Satan’s most popular weapon is fear which is why Philippians 4:6 warns us not to be anxious about anything, but instead, to pray about everything and go to God with all our problems. Fear does not come from God; fear is from the enemy. (2 Tim. 1:7) “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgement and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].
The Bible assures us that the war has been won and the victory is God’s, and as children of God, we have authority over Satan and his demons (Luke 9:1-2, 1 John 4:4, Rom. 8:31). Scripture gives us promises that we can lean on when we feel lost, lonely or just overwhelmed by what is thrown at us. God has also given us a powerful armour. This armour equips us for battle against the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-20). The Bible says “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
As Christians, we are removed from the darkness of Satan and we have been set apart and chosen to be the light of the world (1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 2:4-5, Matt. 5:15-16). If we obey the teachings and commandments of Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth, we will find, that we will become more like Jesus (1 Cor. 11:1). And becoming more like Jesus gives us hope for a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Faith Truth and Wisdom Ministries 