When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, man not only fell spiritually, he also gave up the rulership of this world.  The result was that Satan became the new ruler.  From eternity past Satan and his followers (fallen angels) have been attempting to confuse, distract and destroy God and His followers.  We must never forget that Satan is a much more powerful being than mankind and we therefore must be aware of his cunning devices.  We must also remember the tactics Satan uses to get us off track.  Satan is not omnipresent, omniscient or omnipotent, but he is a genius and has been observing mankind from the beginning.  He uses direct attacks, demon influence and the world system to influence the sin nature to do both human good and evil.

Satan

Satan is a real created being, an angel and a cherub. (Ezekiel 28:14)   His original name was Lucifer (Son of the Morning), God’s most beautiful creation. (Ezekiel 28:17)  He fell through arrogance, which led to rebellion against God. (Isaiah 14:12-15) He was superior to all of the angels. (Ezekiel 28:14)  In Revelation 12:9 he is called “the Dragon”, which is “derchomai” in Greek and means “to see clearly”; an obvious reference to his superior intellect.  We can learn a lot about Satan’s personality and character by an examination of his names, titles and the descriptive words used for him in Scripture:

Names and Titles

1. Lucifer – son of the morning (his beauty contributed to his arrogance)
2. Devil – accuser (a legal term used in a court of law referring to his accusations against God and believers)
3. Old Serpent – deceiver (Satan is the master counterfeiter)
4. Satan – adversary (a legal term for opposing counsel in a trial)
5. Dragon – evil intelligence (superior intellect)
6. Beelzebub – prince of demons (a military term which teaches us that he has a vast army of organized demons)
7. Belial – good for nothing (Satan and his demons cause human good to be produced)
8. Wicked One – evil one (Satan and his demons cause evil to be produced)
9. Prince of this World – ruler of this world system

Characteristics of Satan

1. Counterfeiter – angel of light – II Corinthians 11:13-15
2. Liar – John 8:44
3. Murderer – Hebrews 2:14-15
4. Deceiver – II Corinthians 2:11
5. Blinds the mind – II Corinthians 4:3-4, II hessalonians 2:9-10
6. Author of sin – I John 3:8
7. Produces illness – Matthew 24:24, II Thessalonians 2:9, Revelation 16:14
8. Accuser – Revelation 12:10
9. Hinders believers – II Corinthians 12:7, I Thessalonians 2:18

Angelic Conflict

In eternity past in Heaven, Lucifer, the highest ranking of God’s angels, became filled with arrogance and led a rebellion against God.  Angels, like human beings, possess free will and one third of these angels used their free will to follow Lucifer.  The result of this rebellion is a spiritual warfare called the Angelic Conflict. 

In Isaiah 14:12-15 we have the story of Lucifer’s rebellion and subsequent fall:

1. Arrogance – “I will ascend into heaven.” (v.13) He tries to take over the throne of God and tries to replace God.
2. Ambition – “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.” (v.13) He wants to rule over the angels.
3. Power Lust – “I will sit in the Mount of the Congregation.” (v.13) He wants to rule over earth.
4. Power Lust – “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.”  (v.14) He wants to displace God as the Sovereign of the universe and he wants to usurp God’s authority.
5. Power Madness – “I will be like the Most High.” (v.14) He wants to counterfeit God in every aspect.

Satan’s Revolt

1. Satan led 1/3 of the angelic host with him – Revelation 12:3-4
2. Satan and his angels cast to the earth – Ezekiel 28:15-17
3. Satan and his angels rejected God’s plan of salvation for them – Hebrews 2:1-4; I Peter 1:10-12
4. Satan and his angels sentenced to the Lake of Fire – Matthew 25:41

Satan’s Appeal Trial

It can be deduced by comparing Scripture with Scripture that Satan was allowed to appeal his sentence and that of his followers, since the sentence will not be carried out until the end of human history.  The result was the creation of a race that is lower in rank than angelic beings.  This race called “mankind” was created to resolve this age-old conflict by proving to Satan and the fallen angels that God was fair and just in His sentence.  The various words used throughout Scripture to describe Satan’s fall and his relationship with God and man are often legal terms.  For example, Satan is called the accuser and the adversary, both legal terms.  Thus we have the doctrinal concept of a trial.

Accuser in Greek can be either “diabolos” or “kategoros”.  “Diabolos” is a term for a public slanderer and is used as a title for the Devil thirty-four times in the Bible.  “Kategoros” is chiefly a judicial term used in a court of law and means “to speak against a person in a public tribunal.”

Adversary in Greek is “antidikos” and means “an opponent in a lawsuit.”  It is therefore, one that is in opposition to another.  Satan is said to be the adversary of God and the believer.  It is this adversary that seeks to destroy us. (I Peter 5:8-9)

Christ’s Strategic Victory over Satan

(Hebrews 6:17-20; Colossians 2:9-15)

Jesus Christ won the strategic victory (planning and directing of operations to counter the enemy) over Satan.  God told the Serpent (Satan) that He would put “enmity between Satan and the woman; between his seed and the seed of the woman.”  The seed of Satan (those that crucified Christ) would bruise the heel of Christ (a non-fatal blow), but the woman’s seed (Jesus Christ) would bruise the head of Satan (a fatal blow). (Genesis 3:15)  This prophesy was fulfilled at the Cross when Satan dealt a non-fatal blow to Christ (since He came back from the dead and is alive today).  Christ, on the other hand, dealt Satan a fatal blow that will be reality at the end of human history (when Satan and his fallen angels are cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity).

It is because of Christ’s victory over Satan that the believer can win the tactical victory (the method or procedure carried out against the enemy) over Satan. The filling of the Holy Spirit supplies the power to accomplish this.  The Christian Way of Life is a supernatural way of life and it requires a supernatural power to live it and to overcome the tactics of Satan, his demons (fallen angels) and his world system. (John 16:33; I Corinthians 15:51-57; I John 5:1-21)

The Believer’s Tactical Victory Over the Power of Satan

God has given us a power system so that we can execute His plan, purpose and will while living in Satan’s cosmic system.  It is an encapsulated environment in which we can choose to live and it affords the believer all the necessary tools for a successful life as a Christian.  Jesus Christ tested and proved this encapsulated life for us and now sits at the right hand of God the Father as a testimony to its effectiveness.  As believers, we have been given the same power system that was given to Christ, which enabled Him to live a sinless life.  Though we cannot live a sinless life, we can live a life pleasing to God when we reside in God’s encapsulated environment and utilize His power system.

Only by residing in God’s system can the believer overcome the craftiness and deceit of the Devil.  Satan is the great counterfeiter and will do everything in his power to stop the unbeliever from trusting Christ as Savior and to stop the believer from executing God’s plan.  Satan uses his power and genius to present himself and his followers as ministers of righteousness, while leading the unsuspecting and duped believer into a life of self-righteous arrogance or lascivious lawlessness.  However, no one has an excuse when it comes to Satan’s ploys.  We all possess volition and we choose to reside in either God’s system or Satan’s system. (Colossians 1:13)

Even when we do fail and fall into Satan’s trap, we can be delivered from Satan’s power.  God in His matchless grace has provided a way back into His system.  The believer does not have to spend time in Satan’s cosmic system.  The way back into God’s system is the Rebound Technique, which is naming or acknowledging your personal sins directly to God.  The believer is then restored to fellowship with God and to the control of God the Holy Spirit (God’s power system).  This is why it is so important to keep “short accounts” with God.  When you, as a believer, realize that you have sinned, immediately name it to God.  This way you will sustain any momentum that you have and will stay in fellowship with God for longer periods of time.  No believer, regardless of geographic location, upbringing, I.Q. or any other factor has an excuse for not living within God’s power system.