Satan is the actor in the world for evil. ‘Satan’ means adversary (or enemy, or simply accuser). The name Devil is derived from Diaballo, which in Greek means to throw across—and one etymological hypothesis is that the name reflects one who throws accusations across at people. He is also sometimes known as Lucifer (from the Latin Lucis Ferre, the ‘Light Bearer,’ or Angel of Light). He is evil through and through.
Satan hates us. We aren’t entirely sure why, but there are some hints.
It is possible that he is using us as a way of getting back at God. It is also possible that he hates what God has destined us to become after the final judgment and general resurrection. It could be that he just doesn’t like us.
The reason is really irrelevant. The hate is pathological. It drives all of his dealings with us. He does everything he can to disrupt our lives. He would destroy us if God let him.
He is not, however omniscient. He doesn’t know everything, nor does he see the future. He seems to be trapped in the created universe with us. He generally leaves people alone unless they poke their nose into his business by doing things like using Ouija boards, consulting spirits, practicing witchcraft and the like. He also harasses people who turn toward God. The more you turn your life over to God and honestly seek to follow Him, the more likely it is that Satan or his minions will start to attack you. God won’t let things get out of hand, but many small things will start to go wrong and things will not be smooth. Satan is trying to discourage you. This low-level harassment is actually a good indication that you should continue seeking God. Every time something bad happens, thank God for His blessings and His protection and ask Him to continue them. Also ask Him what lesson He wants you to learn. Remember, too, that God takes away as well as gives. If that happens, bless Him and praise Him and thank Him for what you were given, even though it may have been taken. God will ultimately fulfill His will in spite of Satan’s best efforts. He frequently uses Satan’s activities to help us learn and grow.
He is also not omnipotent. His power is strictly limited by God, but he is still WAY out of our league. Do NOT try and challenge Satan. He is too big and too powerful for us. Ask God for help and He will provide it. If you tell Satan or his minions to flee, do it in the name of Jesus, relying on His power.
His origin is rather murky, but here is what the Bible teaches about Him:
He tried to take over heaven (he attempted a coup).
Revelation 12:7-9
Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he (the dragon) was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, and Satan, the deceiver who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
He was kicked out of heaven.
Luke 10:18
And he said to them, “I saw Satan like lightening falling from heaven.”
He provided the temptation that caused the fall.
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
He is in a strange relationship with God that we don’t understand. Like all things in God’s creation, Satan belongs to God. He is God’s devil. God permits him to operate, within very strict limits. At times, he is apparently made to do God’s work, in accordance with His will. This is probably why He hasn’t destroyed him yet. He is an enemy, but a useful enemy. He is, for the present, a free-range devil. He tempted Jesus.
Job 1:6-12
One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.
“Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan.
“From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.”
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.”
Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not placed a hedge on every side around him and his household and all that he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out Your hand and strike all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”
“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.”
Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
Luke 22:31-32
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
It seems that God keeps him around to do His dirty work. This is sort of true, and sort of not true. God has delayed justice on Satan just like He has delayed justice on humanity. Satan does his evil deeds because that’s who he is, and God uses those evil acts to His purposes, just like He uses the evil acts that people do. God does NOT use him to do the evil He cannot permit Himself to do.
He has been given temporary dominion over this world.
Luke 4:6
“I will give you authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he (Satan) said, “it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish.”
It should be noted that this is exaggeration to the point of being a lie. Satan has been given limited freedom to act, but the earth and everything in it is, and always has been the Lord’s.
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
He is much stronger than we are.
Acts 19:15-16
Eventually, one of the evil spirits answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but you, who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. The attack was so violent that they ran out of the house naked and wounded.
He (and his minions) can take over (possess) people.
John 13:27
As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
He is not to be fought but resisted.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Ephesians 6:13
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.
The armor of God is all defensive armor, and all on the front – it won’t protect you if you fight or run away.
He seeks to rule over us in God’s place
Ephesians 2:1-2
As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you walked according to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
He pretends to be an angel to deceive us
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light.
Several people have seen angels that gave them new religious knowledge. Joseph Smith of the Mormons and Mohammad are two.
He is not to be insulted or mocked
Jude 1:8-9
In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not himself dare to bring a slanderous judgment against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
We should refer to fallen angels with sorrow for the loss of what once was. Not pity, for they have made their choice. With regret that something so infinitely good and precious is irretrievably ruined. We should think of people who die in their sin in the same way.
He holds the power of death.
Hebrews 2:14
Therefore, since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil
He accuses us.
Zechariah 3:1
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.
In this verse, we have both the noun and verb forms of Satan—Satan (rendered as a name) is standing next to Zechariah, getting ready to ‘satan’ him (translated as ‘accuse’). It is possible that part of his original purpose was to accuse people at Judgment.
He acts through deception.
John 8:44b
He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
He seeks to draw us away from God.
2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
He seeks to destroy us.
1 Peter 5:8
Be vigilant and of sober mind. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.
He has evil helpers called demons. They were once angels. Please see What are angels, demons etc.
Matthew 12:24
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
There are two traps to avoid when thinking about Satan: thinking about him too much, and thinking that he doesn’t exist. Thinking about him too much can result in spiritualism or paranoia. At the very least, it is time spent thinking that would be better spent thinking about God or what He wants you to do.
Thinking that he doesn’t exist ignores a significant portion of the spiritual half of reality – the portion that is the source of a lot of the evil and temptation in the world. Ignore him at your peril.
Satan is a rebel and the great enemy. He will face judgment at the last day. Until then he is best avoided.