Satan – Murderer and Liar

If we did not have the New Testament, we would know very little about the devil. The Old Testament only mentions him explicitly in three books: 1 Chronicles, Job, and Zechariah. In contrast, we learn much about the devil and his tactics in the New Testament. One passage characterizes the core of his nature in just a few words. The following should serve as a guideline for correctly assessing the devil and his temptations.

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).

Murder and lying – or more generally speaking: violence and deceitfulness – are two main types of sinThe Bible carefully differentiates between sin and sins. • Sin: the evil power at work in man that causes him to engage in sinful activities (Rom 7:17, 18). God pronounced... More. Anyone who is aware that the prince of this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More bears precisely these characteristics will not be surprised to constantly have to deal with them in one form or another in this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More too (cf. Gen. 6:11). The devil also carries out his work as a tempter under these two signs. He either attacks as a “roaring lion,” i.e., he uses violence, or he seduces as a “cunning serpent” by distorting the truth.

Who does the Devil Tempt?

Who is exposed to the devil's temptations? Are all people affected, or only believers? Unbelievers are in the “power of darkness” (Col. 1:13), i.e., they are under Satan's power and are his slaves. As long as he can control them, he is satisfied. But as soon as they are removed from his sphere of power and become children of God, he uses every opportunity to draw them away from the happiness of a life dependent on and blessed by God.

There are certain parallels with Jesus' temptation in the desert that illustrate the principle. Of course, unlike all other people, our Lord had no points of contact with Satan's sphere of power. But the sequence of events leading up to the temptations is certainly just as exemplary for believers as the three subsequent attacks with which the devil tempted the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More.

Let us note the context: After Jesus' baptismRefers to the immersion of a person (in a body of water) and has a symbolic meaning: someone who is baptized acknowledges that they deserve to die. By being baptized,... More, the heavens opened and the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More came upon Him like a dove. God the Father could not remain silent at this moment. Publicly and audibly for all those present, He acknowledged Him as His Son: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:17). Immediately afterwards, He was led by the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More into the wilderness “to be tempted by the devil” (Mt. 4:1).

The devil only tempts people once they have become children or sons of God. And let us be on our guard! He knows our weaknesses and knows how to make us stumble – something he never managed to do with the Lord Jesus. On the other hand, we don't need to be afraid of him either. He is a defeated enemy whose power has been broken for us.

The Roaring Lion

When the devil confronts God's children like a roaring lion, he wants to intimidate them and shake their faith. One of the means he uses is persecution. The apostleApostle (Greek) means "sent one." Today, we are "messengers" for Christ when we pass on the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). But the highest-ranking messenger is Jesus Christ himself (Heb 3:1;... More Peter talks about this at the end of his first letter:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More” (1 Pet. 5:8–9).

Peter knew something of the devil's temptations. Based on his own experiences, he was able to warn his brothers and sisters. Hadn't the devil himself tempted him as a roaring lion? There, in the courtyard of the high priestIn the OT, the high priest was the "head" of the priests. Aaron was the first to be appointed to this office. The letter to the Hebrews makes it clear... More, when Jesus had been taken prisoner and Peter was warming himself by the fire, the devil attacked. “You are not also one of this Man's disciples, are you?” (John 18:25), he was asked. Now things were getting dangerous. No, he did not want to be taken prisoner. So he denied: “I am not”. Too bad. But it didn't stop there. He was asked twice more about his relationship with Jesus, and each time he denied it. The devil had achieved his goal: Peter caved in. Unfortunately, he was not in the spiritual condition to stand firm in faith. His arrogance and hubris robbed him of all strength. A few hours before this event, he still thought he loved the Lord more than the other disciples. But fortunately, someone had prayed for him so that his faith would not cease – his Lord, who was looking at him at that moment.

If the devil comes as a roaring lion, persecution, hostility, mockery, or rejection will be felt. This applies not only to believers in Islamic countries but to all “who desire to live godly in ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:12 with Gal. 4:29 and Gen. 21:9). The pressure can cause us to give in and abandon our confession – at least for a time. The devil wants nothing else. He wants to draw us away from the Lord and make us useless for Him. That is the meaning of the word “devour” in our verse. It is not about the question of whether our soul is saved for eternity, but about the practical life of faith in this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More. Eternal security is guaranteed to us in the words of the Lord: “No one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand” (John 10:29). Our practical life of faith, on the other hand, can be damaged. That is why we are called upon to steadfastly resist the devil, trusting in Almighty God.

Change of Tactics

A roaring lion can be heard from afar and is therefore easy to identify. It becomes considerably more difficult when the devil appears with his cunning. He has probably caused more damage with this tactic than with the use of threats and violence. Unfortunately, many have already fallen for his tricks.

Just think of the story of Balaam. First, he came with the intention of cursing the people of Israel. When he did not succeed, he made a second attempt to ruin the people. He changed his tactics and came with cunning: he advised the Moabites to join and mix with the Israelites. And what was the result? The people fell for it (cf. Num. 25).

The situation was similar after the partial conquest of the land of Canaan. The inhabitants of the cities who used violence against Israel were successfully fought, just as God had instructed. But when the Gibeonites ingratiated themselves with the elders of the people with lies and deception, the realization came too late. The enemies had succeeded in mingling with the Israelites – to the ruin of God's people (cf. Jos. 9).

The Cunning Serpent

It is not for nothing that the apostleApostle (Greek) means "sent one." Today, we are "messengers" for Christ when we pass on the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). But the highest-ranking messenger is Jesus Christ himself (Heb 3:1;... More Paul warns the Corinthians and the Ephesians about the wiles of the devil. Temptations using deceit and cunning are particularly dangerous.

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More” (2 Cor. 11:3).

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).

The Corinthians tended to boast of natural abilities such as eloquence (cf. 1 Cor. 2:1 ff.). Wealth and honor in this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More were also desirable to them (cf. 1 Cor. 4:8). Paul had to describe them as carnal and “babes in ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More” (cf. 1 Cor. 3:1). With great effort, he tried to open the Corinthians' eyes to God's scale of values: “God has chosen the foolish things of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are” (1 Cor. 1:27–28).

The devil had recognized the weakness of the Corinthians and worked against the work of the apostleApostle (Greek) means "sent one." Today, we are "messengers" for Christ when we pass on the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). But the highest-ranking messenger is Jesus Christ himself (Heb 3:1;... More Paul. To do this, he used false apostles who encouraged the Corinthians in their “wise” reasoning. In their opinion, a man who was characterized by suffering and weakness could not be a true preacher on behalf of God. A heroic appearance and outward display of power – only this corresponded to their ideas of men of God. This is how the false apostles exemplified it to them and sold it as truth (cf. 2 Cor. 11:20).

The devil had taken on the form of an angel of light (cf. 2 Cor. 11:14). With pious-sounding words, he drew the hearts of the Corinthians away from Paul and then also from ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More. Their thinking had been corrupted. The simple and exclusive focus on ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More had been lost to them.

What could the Corinthians have done to escape the wiles of the devil? They could have – as Paul did – “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More” (2 Cor. 10:5).

 

Half-truths are Whole Lies

The devil's lies come in many different forms, depending on where our weak point is. For some, it may be gullibility towards scientific knowledge. For others, it may be a penchant for tradition. Still others tend towards pragmatism. Whatever it may be – the devil provides plausible reasons in all cases.

It becomes very dangerous when the devil quotes the Bible. This was the case with one of the three temptations of the Lord Jesus. Let's take a brief look at how the devil proceeded:

“If You are the Son of GodThe term "Son of God" in the singular always refers to the Lord Jesus. On the one hand, He is the only begotten (unique) and eternal Son of God, who... More, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone’” (Matt. 4:6).

If we compare the quote with the original, we realize that the devil quotes incompletely and thus falsifies the Word of God. PsalmPsalm simply means "song." In the Old Testament, this word only occurs in connection with the Psalms of David and the Book of Psalms. Singers sang a psalm with instrumental... More 91 says: “For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways” (v. 11). Why does the devil leave out the second clause? Because the general promise of this verse was not applicable now. All the ways of the Lord Jesus were ways of obedience to His God. Throwing Himself down from the pinnacle of the templeThe house and dwelling place of God in Jerusalem in the OT. The forerunner was the tabernacle.  It consisted of two main rooms, the sanctuary and the Holy of Holies,... More, on the other hand, would have been nothing other than challenging God in doubt as to whether He was really for ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More or not. And that would be unbelief and disobedience.

This makes it clear that the devil not only quotes the Word of God incompletely, but also misuses it. And how does the Lord Jesus respond to this? His answer is exemplary for us. He does not enter into a discussion about the incompletely quoted Bible text. He simply quotes another verse from the Old Testament that directly exposes the misapplication of the biblical quotation: “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God’” (Mt. 4:7). The devil was thus defeated.

The Battle in the Heavenly Places

Finally, one more point should be mentioned where the devil was able to achieve great success with his cunning with some believers. It concerns the appreciation and enjoyment of our spiritual blessings in the heavenly places, to which the verse quoted above from Ephesians (chapter 6:11) refers. If we as Christians only give thanks for the visible and ask for daily preservation, then the devil has already achieved one of his goals. Let's examine our prayer requests. They reflect what our purpose in life is. Morally speaking, everything may be fine. Everyday life may also be conducted with a full sense of duty and a certain fear of God. And yet it may be that the devil and his powers still occupy a large part of our “heavenly country,” i.e., they prevent us from enjoying joy and fellowship with the Lord and from enjoying spiritual blessings.

It is also possible that there is no longer any desire for the invisible, eternal things in our lives. Then we have already succumbed to the devil's temptation. Perhaps he has managed to present the provision of natural needs as so important that we feel we have to focus entirely on them (cf. Mt. 4:3-4). Or he presents us with the beauty and variety of material blessings so that we think we can find our sufficiency in them. Sometimes he also presents spiritual blessings as a complicated theory, so that we shy away from them and become convinced that this is an area reserved only for the intelligent.

No matter what cunning the devil uses to get at us, we are called to be strong, to put on the whole armor of God (cf. Eph. 6:11) and to make the “heavenly country” practically our own. We will make wonderful discoveries. It is not only the blessings that will amaze us, but most of all God Himself, the source and giver of all glory.