Bible Studies
Satan’s Character and Nature As Revealed by the Terms Used to Describe Him (Job 1:6-2:8)
Series: The Reality of SatanIntroduction:
1. Is Satan real?a. Some say “no.” Their reasoning—“The existence of a personal devil is incapable of scientific proof.” But spiritual realities cannot be proven, nor disproven, by naturalistic means.
b. Some reason, “the devil is man’s invention to explain his sin.”
2. The Bible, however, clearly pictures Satan as a malicious, superhuman personality. 3. The passage we have just read presents him in this way.a. He is malicious in that he would destroy Job.
b. He operated through the Sabeans, and the Chaldeans, using them as his agents of destruction.
c. He took control of the weather. “The fire of God” (lightening ?) and “the wind” came under his control to destroy both Job’s possessions and his children.
d. He smote Job with sore boils and in this way took control over Job’s health.
e. This passage presents him as personal, powerful and a malicious destroyer.
4. If we looked no further we would have good insight into Satan’s character and nature based on this one passage alone. 5. But the terms that are used to describe Satan in Scripture confirm and elaborate on his character and nature and it is to these that I would direct your attention.Discussion:
I. The word “Satan” finds its origin in the O.T.A. “Satan” is the Greek transliteration of a Hebrew term that means “adversary.”
1. In the LXX 1 Kings 11:14 is an example of this transliteration. The LXX usually translates the Hebrew with “diabolos.”
2. It is from a Hebrew verb that means, “to lie in wait,” “to oppose.”
3. Thus Satan is presented in Scripture as the grand adversary of both God and men.
B. Often the word “Satan” is used interchangeably with the word “devil.” Rev. 12:9 and 20:2 specifically identify them as synonyms.
C. “Satan” comes over into the English as a transliteration.
D. In Zech. 3:1-2 Satan stands as “accuser” of Joshua the High Priest. The idea being that he would accuse Joshua of sin, almost like a prosecutor would accuse one guilty of a crime.
E. The O.T. information is very limited by contrast to the N.T. evidence.
II. The N.T. picture is more complete.A. The word “Satan” occurs 36 times in the N.T.
1. There are two occurrences referring Peter (Matt. 16:23; Mk. 8:33) and one referring to Judas Iscariot (Jn. 6:70). These three are without the article = “a devil.”
2. Generally the term is used with the article (“the Satan”) referring to the personal devil. There are four exceptions: Matt. 4:10; Mk. 3:23; Lk. 22:3; 2 Cor. 12:7.
B. The word “devil” occurs 34 times in the N.T.
1. It translates the word “diabolos.”
2. Meaning “the slanderer.”
III. Other designations used to describe Satan in the N.T.A. “Abaddon” and “Apollyon” (Rev. 9:11). Both mean “destroyer.”
B. “The accuser of our brethren” (Rev. 12:10).
C. “The adversary” (“antidikos,” 1 Pet. 5:8).
D. “Beelzebul” (Matt. 12:24).
E. “Belial” (2 Cor. 6:15).
F. “The deceiver of the whole world” (Rev. 12:9).
G. “The great dragon” (Rev. 12:9).
H. “An enemy” (Matt. 13:28, 39).
I. “The evil one” (Matt. 13:19, 38).
J. “The father of lies” (Jn. 8:44).
K. “The god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4).
L. “A liar” (Jn. 8:44).
M. “A murderer” (Jn. 8:44).
N. “The prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2).
O. “The ruler of this world” (Jn. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).
P. “The ancient serpent” (Rev. 12:9; cf. Gen. 3).
Q. “The tempter” (Matt. 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5).
IV. What do we learn then about Satan’s character and nature?A. He described himself as restless in his activity of “going to and fro on the earth” and “walking up and down in it” (Job. 1:7; 2:2).
1. He is engaged in a world-wide and unremitting conflict against God and His people.
2. He is the enemy of God, truth and God’s people (Matt. 13:28, 39; 2 Thess. 2:9-12).
3. He is our adversary, our opponent.
B. He is the one who is against us to destroy us.
C. He lies. He deceives. He accuses. He murders. He destroys. This is who he is.
D. He is out to get you! To take you down! To kill and to destroy you! Unless you clearly realize this you are vulnerable to his devices.
E. We have not talked about his motives or why he is so malicious. Perhaps this would be a good topic for a later discussion. But whatever his motives you must understand his objectives as reflected in who he is. He does not think like you. He is not like you.
F. Peter said, “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).
Conclusion:
1. Be on the alert then. 2. Be of sober spirit. 3. Give Satan no advantage.
