Are you aware that Satan was not always ‘Satan’? That’s right. He was Lucifer (“Shining One,” “Light Bearer,” “Morning Star”). But when he used his God-given free will to choose if he would submit to God or not, he rebelled and was cast out of heaven. Surprisingly, about a third of the angels followed him (Revelation 12:3-4). Lucifer is now called Satan and the fallen angels are called demons. Lucifer wasn’t content to serve God, he wanted to be served instead. He wanted to be greater than God (Isaiah 14:12-14).
The fact is that “Lucifer” is not actually an English translation of the Hebrew word from which it is translated; “Lucifer” is a Latin translation. So, while Lucifer is the name which we associate with Satan, rather than being a proper name, “Lucifer” refers to and is descriptive of his former splendor. In short, the fact that he was described as “the morning star” was a reflection of his character. This morning star was deceived, believing he could rise above God. He now deceives all he can. Now he is known as “the devil,” which means “slanderer,” and “Satan,” which means “adversary” – both of which fit his nature perfectly.
The original perfection of Lucifer is recorded in Ezekiel 28:12-14). “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. …. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you’” It is no wonder someone so splendidly arrayed would be referred to as “The Shining One” or “The Morning Star.” Yet when he rebelled he was defeated by God and cast out of heaven (Luke 10:18).
The Bible often symbolically refers to angels as “stars” because of their beauty and light (Revelation 12:3-4; Job 38:4-7). There was none superior to Lucifer in the beginning. Thus, he was named after the first and brightest star, the “morning star.” The name refers to his original beauty and greatness as the height of all God’s creation. His power was great and he still retains it. His intelligence is far greater than any of God’s other created beings. He uses it to deceive and destroy God’s people (2 Corinthians 11:13-14).
Yet when are living for Jesus and following His Word we have nothing to fear, for Jesus is far greater. Luke 10:17-19 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. We do not have to fear his power when we stay in Jesus’ protection. We cannot defeat him without Jesus. Even the great archangel Michael would not fight him without God’s power and protection (Jude 1:9; Zechariah 3:2). Without Jesus we have no strength, with Him we are safe and protected.
One of his greatest, most effective weapons is deception. His counterfeit light misleads many who don’t know God’s Word and follow it. He deceived Eve, leading her to think evil was good and good was evil. We can certainly see that all around us today in moral values, priorities, relationships and all the counterfeit pleasure and ‘truth’ the world offers. We can’t counter his deception on our own, either. We need Jesus’ wisdom and truth through His Holy Spirit to keep free from his traps. Without the filling of the Holy Spirit, we would be deceived just like the rest, but Jesus can give us victory over that (Matthew 24:24). Satan is not just ugly angry evil being. He is nice, polite, complementary, friendly and convincing. He’s been doing it for centuries and is a master deceiver. The only way to avoid his traps are to know and totally follow the truth in God’s Word. That’s the only way, but it is the guaranteed victorious way.
2 Timothy 2:26 that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Where are you most susceptible to Satan’s deceptions? What lies of his work best against you? What can you do to protect yourself?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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