The Serpent, The Adversary, and the Father of Lies
The existence of a sovereign adversary is one of the most sobering and critical doctrines of the Christian faith. The figure known as the Devil (Greek: diabolos, meaning “slanderer” or “accuser”) or Satan (Hebrew: śāṭān, meaning “adversary”) is not an abstract concept of evil, but a personal, spiritual being of immense power, whose sole mission is the destruction of God’s redemptive plan and the deception of humanity. To understand the Devil is to understand the nature of the warfare in which every believer is engaged.
The Origin: The Fall of the Anointed Cherub
The Devil’s beginning was not in darkness, but in glory. Scripture strongly indicates that the adversary was a created being—a magnificent angel, likely identified as the anointed cherub that covereth in the book of Ezekiel and the Day Star, son of the morning in Isaiah. His downfall was not decreed by God but chosen through an act of supreme, spiritual treason: pride.
He fell because he desired the honor and position belonging only to the Creator:
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14, KJV)
This arrogant, five-fold declaration of “I will” marks the genesis of sin in the universe—a desire for usurped sovereignty. Driven by this pride, he was cast out of heaven along with a host of other angels who followed him (Revelation 12:9).
The Names and the Nature of the Adversary
The Devil is known by a host of names, each defining his destructive mission against God’s truth and mankind:
- The Serpent (Genesis 3:1): The deceiver who successfully brought sin and death into creation by questioning the truth of God’s Word.
- The Tempter (Matthew 4:3): He is the persistent agent who seeks to lure mankind into disobedience through compromise and worldly appeal.
- The Prince of this World (John 12:31): He holds dominion over the systems and governments of the present age, maintaining his stronghold through darkness and deception.
- A Liar and the Father of it (John 8:44): His essence is falsehood; every doctrine contrary to God’s truth originates with him.
- The Accuser of our Brethren (Revelation 12:10): He incessantly demands the judgment of believers before God, based upon their failures.
The Mission and the Ultimate Defeat
The Devil’s entire mission is to steal the worship due to God, destroy the Church, and prevent the return of Christ. He currently wields temporary power, but his ultimate defeat is a settled fact sealed by the physical obedience and blood of Jesus Christ on the cross:
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” (Hebrews 2:14, KJV)
The culmination of history, which informs the doctrine of the Lord’s Return, includes the final judgment upon the Devil. After a final, failed rebellion at the end of the Millennium, the Adversary will be cast into the eternal fire:
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10, KJV)
The Devil is a reminder that the spiritual warfare is real, but the outcome is certain. His power is limited by God’s sovereignty, and his final destination is fixed. The Christian’s victory over the Adversary is secured by faith in the finished work of Christ and the uncompromised defense of the truth against the Father of Lies.