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Can you explain the devil?


Introduction. The devil is an actual being (Matt. 4: 3-11). The devil is the author, if you will, of evil (cp. John 8: 44). He is presented as man's adversary ("Satan," adversary, 1 Pet. 5: 8). He is known as "the tempter" (Matt. 4: 3), "Beelzebub" (Matt. 12: 24), and "the wicked one" (Matt. 13: 19). Devil (Gk. Diabolos, the accuser) is another name (John 8: 44).

The origin of the devil. The scriptures are not explicit in the matter of the origin of the devil. However, I believe the premise "all things not created are deity" is true. Jesus, the Word, created all things; hence, the devil is a created being. Most people believe he is a fallen angel. However, this view is not without problems given the contrast between how God generally punishes sinful angels per 2 Pet. 2:4 versus the relative freedom God permits the devil (Gen. 3; Job 1:6-12; Luke 4:1-13; 1 Peter 5:8).  Perhaps the best answer in keeping with Deut. 29:29 is "we do not know."

The devil enjoys limited power. God had to grant the devil special power in Job's case (Job 1: 8-11, 12). The devil, though, is in general powerful (Matt. 13: 18, 19, 28, 37-40, 2 Cor. 4: 4, Eph. 2: 2). However, the devil can be resisted (Matt. 4: 1-11). James wrote, "Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (Jas. 4: 7).

How the devil works. The devil is behind all sin (1 John 3: 8). The devil chiefly works through deception (Rev. 20: 10). Sin itself is deceiving (Heb. 3: 13). The devil often uses humans. He works through false apostles and teachers who appear to the uninformed as "ministers of righteousness" (2 Cor. 11: 13-15, Matt. 7: 15 ff). The devil is a master when it comes to "handling the word of God deceitfully" (2 Cor. 4: 2-4). While the devil enjoys some success, his final destiny is "everlasting fire" (Matt. 25: 41, 46).

Conclusion. God allows the devil to tempt us in order for God to test us (Jas. 1: 2 ff). When we resist the devil, we build character and strength.
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