SATAN’S NAMES SAY IT ALL
In many cultures today names tell a lot about a person. That was true in Bible times as well. It’s why the names of Satan reveal so much about him. Let’s look at some of those names and see what we can learn.
His first name, before he rebelled, was LUCIFER (literally “Star of the Morning” Isaiah 14:12). After rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28) he lost that name. But it shows the original power and beauty he once had. Now he uses those for evil.
We now call him SATAN which means “Adversary, or “Opponent.” We also call him the DEVIL which means “Accuser” or “Adversary.” Both show his activity against God and God’s people – us. As the Accuser, he makes sure God knows our sins and failures (Revelation 12:10). Paul says we “struggle” with him (Ephesians 6:12). This is a word used of a life-or-death fight to the finish, an apt description of our enemy who wants to destroy our souls.
Another clear word picture is ROARING LION (1 Peter 5:8). This hungry lion is on the lookout for anyone he can devour/destroy. He is animalistic and predatory. Combine that with his power and beauty and we can see what a formidable foe he really is. Lions stalk quietly, trying to remain undetected by its prey, so it can strike, kill, and devour. When the Apostle Peter described Satan in these terms, he was writing to believers who were at risk of stumbling, sinning, and damaging their relationship with God. Satan sees people as prey, as his victims. He knows God loves people, and he wants to take as many as possible in hell with him for eternity. He cannot bring a person to hell if they have put their faith in Jesus Christ, but he doesn’t want them to be useful to their Savior. Therefore, he stalks all people, looking for weaknesses to exploit.
When Satan attacked Jesus in the wilderness he was called the TEMPTER (Matthew 4:1-3). He waited until Jesus was hungry, weak and vulnerable. Then he came across as wanting to help when really he wanted Jesus to sin. Satan tries to get us to disobey God, especially when we are weak and vulnerable. He leads people into sin and keeps them there, he causes divisions between man and God and he offers things that seem harmless, even helpful, but are not from God. He appeals to our pride, as he did to Jesus in the Wilderness. He knows your weakness and what he can make appear as good or desirable to you. He provides solutions to your problems, but ones God doesn’t endorse.
Satan appeared to Eve in Eden as a SERPENT (Genesis 3). Revelation 12:10 says: “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. There is no doubt all these terms refer to the same person – Satan. Satan is described as the serpent because he used the form of a serpent, or possessed a serpent, to tempt Adam and Eve in the garden. He used this form, luring Eve into trusting him because they were familiar with the creatures of the Garden of Eden, and she had no reason to believe the snake would lie.
He is the FATHER OF LIES (John 8:44), the origin of deception and falsehood. He told the angels he could defeat God in heaven and caused them to fall with him. He lied to Eve and she believed him. He lies by what he says, what he implies and by what he doesn’t say. Lies we believe or tell come from him. He knows where each of us are vulnerable to his attacks.
Finally, he is called a MURDERER (John 8:44) because he is a killer. He ends life, physically or spiritually. Listening to him leads to death. Death is separation – from physical life now or spiritual life in eternity.
There are other, less common but equally evil names, but this gives a good idea of the character of the person we are dealing with. Remember, he disguises who and what he is, appearing as someone good and helpful. He is an “angel of light” we dare not trust (2 Corinthians 11:14). Watch out! Always be on your guard. (October 21, 2024 Doylestown, PA)
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:11-13).
Where do you have to be most alert to Satan’s attacks? What tactic works best against you and why? What must you do to have victory over him?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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