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SATAN

We believe in the personality of Satan (I Chr. 21:1; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7; Matt. 4:1-11), that he is the unholy ruler of this age (John 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:3-4), and the prince of all the powers of darkness (Matt. 12:24; Eph. 2:2; 6:12). He is the leader of a countless army of spirits who rebelled against the will of God (Rev. 9:11; 12:3-4, 7). These spirit beings, called demons, now seek to hinder the work of God (Gen. 3:4-5; Matt. 4:1-11; 2 Cor. 11:13-15), but will face ultimate defeat and condemnation with Satan in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:10).

Described - Satan, the Devil, Lúcifer are some of the names used for our greatest enemy. He is also called the father of lies, the prince of the power of the air, the Ruler of darkness, the great dragon and the Serpent. 

He is our adversary and is constantly on the prowl seeking whom he may devour. 

We see him first in Eden in the form of a snake and involved in Eve's temptation. He asked the first question in Scripture and it was a direct attack on God's word. 

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

God had said that all the trees were available and good for food. So, Satan's lie made it seem like God was trying to hide something from Eve. He then added these words, Genesis 3:4 "You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman.
 
This seemed to be a guarantee of life with a new perspective. Not only would they not die but they would have an understanding like God did. Satan said, Genesis 3:5 "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
 
In one sense, when Adam and Eve's eyes were opened, they did know the difference between good and evil. However, what they didn't expect was what would be the consequences of their disobedience. They would immediately die spiritually. They would be spirituality doomed without a Savior. 

Satan was the instrument that was used in God's plan to reveal his marvelous Master Plan of Salvation and his personal Glorification through the Redemptive work of Christ. 

Satan is a powerful foe and is not to be toyed with. With this in mind what should be our battle stance against him and his legions of demons? 

We are commanded to put on the whole armor of God. So that we might take our stand against the Devil's tricks. 
We must resist the Devil and he will run away from us. 
We need the sword of the Spirit which is the only weapon in our arsenal. 
We need something that Paul mentions at the end of the armor list, prayer. (E 6:18) 
Satan is not as powerful as God. He cannot in dwell the believer. He is a powerful but defeated enemy. We as believers must never play with the occult. 

When Satan tempts us our best recourse is to cry to God for his help. All that Satan does is under God's control. We see that in Job one and two. 
 

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