Satan: The Accuser and Adversary

Satan: The Accuser and Adversary

Introduction: Not a Symbol — A Strategist

Satan is not a metaphor, a mythological leftover, or a dramatic flourish added to Scripture for narrative effect. He is a real, personal being — intelligent, strategic, malicious, and ancient. From the earliest pages of Genesis to the closing scenes of Revelation, Satan appears not as a cartoonish villain or impersonal force, but as a deeply active enemy of God’s purposes and God’s people. To water him down is to dull our spiritual senses. To obsess over him is to forget Christ’s victory. But to ignore him is to invite destruction.

He is described as a tempter, a liar, an accuser, and a destroyer — and his many names reflect his strategies.

I. Names That Reveal His Nature

1. Satan – Greek: Σατανᾶς (Satanas, Strong’s G4567); Hebrew: שָּׂטָן (śāṭān)

This name appears in both Old and New Testaments and is a transliteration, not a translation. It literally means “accuser” or “adversary.” In Job 1–2 and Zechariah 3, he accuses the righteous before God. In the New Testament, he tempts and opposes Christ and His followers.

“One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.” (Job 1:6, NLT)

2. Devil – Greek: διάβολος (diabolos, Strong’s G1228)

Meaning “slanderer” or “false accuser.” This term highlights his role in spreading lies and half-truths. It’s the source of our English word diabolical.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1, NLT)

II. Satan in the Hebrew Scriptures: The Permission to Accuse

In Job and Zechariah, Satan appears in the divine council scene — not as an equal to God but as a subordinate creature granted limited access. He does nothing without permission. The text shows that while Satan may accuse or tempt, he cannot act autonomously.

In Job 1–2, he accuses Job of serving God for personal gain. God allows him to test Job’s faithfulness. But the outcome ultimately vindicates Job and exposes Satan’s defeat — a pattern repeated throughout Scripture.

III. Satan in the Gospels and Apostolic Writings

The Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4)

In the wilderness, Satan tempts Jesus in three escalating stages: to satisfy hunger, to test God’s protection, and to seize power without the cross. Each time, Jesus responds not with mystical power but with Scripture — highlighting the sufficiency of God’s Word in spiritual warfare.

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go away, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”’” (Matthew 4:10, LEB)

The Father of Lies (John 8:44)

“You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.” (LEB)

Greek: ψεύστης (pseustēs) – “liar”; πατὴρ αὐτοῦ – “its father”

Jesus makes clear that lying is not just an act Satan performs — it is who he is. Deception is his native tongue.

The Disguised Enemy (2 Corinthians 11:14)

“Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (LEB)

Greek: μετασχηματίζεται (metaschēmatizetai) – to transform in appearance, not essence. He looks like truth, but he is death underneath. Religious falsehood is one of Satan’s most dangerous tactics.

The “god” of This World

Paul calls Satan “the god of this world” in 2 Corinthians 4:4, saying he “has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe” so they cannot see the light of the Gospel. Jesus refers to him as “the ruler of this world” in John 12:31, 14:30, and 16:11, indicating that Satan has temporary influence over worldly systems. But his reign is limited and doomed—1 John 5:19 reminds us “the whole world lies under the power of the evil one,” yet Jesus has overcome the world.

IV. Satan’s Strategies

1. Temptation

His first tactic in the Garden (Genesis 3) is still effective: “Did God really say?” He doesn’t begin by attacking obedience; he attacks trust in God’s word.

2. Accusation

“For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down — the one who accuses them day and night before our God.” (Revelation 12:10, LEB)

He torments the conscience and tries to paralyze believers with shame. But for those in Christ, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1).

3. Distraction and Division

In 1 Timothy 4:1–3, Paul warns that some will abandon the faith through demonic doctrines, legalism, and false holiness. Satan would rather make people “spiritual” than Christ-centered.

4. Destruction

“Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, LEB)

The Greek word for “devour” is καταπίῃ (katapiē), meaning to swallow whole — complete ruin. He aims to devour lives, reputations, churches.

V. The Christian’s Response to Satan

1. Resist, Don’t Fear

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, NLT)

We are not told to bind, rebuke, or banish Satan in our own authority — we are told to submit to God and resist.

2. Put on the Armor (Ephesians 6:10–18)

Satan is spiritual — so the fight must be spiritual. We fight with truth, righteousness, faith, Scripture, prayer, and the gospel of peace.

3. Remember the End

Satan’s defeat is certain. He is bound (Revelation 20), judged (Revelation 12), and cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). His destruction is not symbolic — it is final.

Conclusion:

Satan is not God's equal — and he is not a joke. To ignore him is foolish; to fixate on him is just as dangerous. Our focus is Christ, who triumphed over the powers of darkness at the cross (Colossians 2:15).

He may be the accuser, but Jesus is our advocate (1 John 2:1). He may tempt, but the Spirit strengthens. He may prowl, but the Shepherd protects.

And though we are in a real war, the victory is already won.