Is Satan Real?

Many people think Satan is a fairy tale, and I don’t blame them. Who could really believe in an angry bright red guy with goat horns and a pitchfork walking around in hell?

This may sound childish. But that version of Satan doesn’t come from the Bible. Instead, scripture show a real spiritual enemy that we need to take seriously. So is Satan real? Yes. Does he own a pitchfork? Probably not.

Let’s be clear, Satan is a title, not a name. It means “the deceiver” and that tells us most of what we need to know about him. He is a liar, that’s who he is. That Bible describes Satan as being like a roaring Lion, a serpent, and a dragon. Not the kind of animals we would want to snuggle up with.

The Spiritual forces of evil at work in the world are often linked to Satan’s influence, whether through temptation, deception, or even the demons he commands. That’s why the Bible calls satan names like adversary or the evil one.

In the Garden of Eden, satan brought confusion by questioning Eve, “Did God really say…? Then, he tempted her with the same thing that caused him to be cast out of God’s presence -pride.

He promised Eve she could be like God, without needing God. Adam and Eve fell into the temptation, and were sent out of Eden, and out of the perfect fellowship with God.

One moment they were walking with God, the next they were filled with shame.

Satan is alive and active in the world today. He may not be the goofy horned creature a made up cartoon, from artists, but he is a real threat today.

If you’ve ever done something that felt fun or exciting in one moment, then felt cheap, ugly, or hurtful later. That’s what happens when we’re convinced by lies. Satan is how the Biblical authors talk about our desire for short-term highs that lead to lasting harm.

Satan is a liar and he still has power on earth today. He looks like the good life, but then he tries to suck the life right out of you. We can think about porn, addictions, affairs, empty sex, and anything that promises to fulfill our needs without God?

We all have felt crippled by guilt and shame over things we’ve done wrong -big or small. That’s one of satan’s traits. He is known as the accuser of the family of God. Satan isn’t stupid -he’s a liar and an accuser. Pride, lies, and shame come in many forms. That’s why the Bible tells us to be watchful and be on guard against him.

But Satan isn’t as powerful as God.

Sometimes it can seem like the fight between God and Satan is a battle between two rivals. But this isn’t a great way to think about God and Satan. Because Satan is a part of God’s creation, he is completely inferior to God’s power.

Satan doesn’t get a detailed origin story in the Bible. Instead, we get snippets of him lurking in the shadows.

God created Satan. Many believe he went by the name Lucifer before becoming a satanic figure, he’s a fallen angel. This fallen angel became a symbol of rebellion and sin, who influenced many late medieval and popular depictions of Satan, including the infamous image of a little red man with horns and a tail. Yet, the reality of Satan’s power is far more complex and deeply rooted in scripture.

But nowhere in the Bible gives us all the information we would like to know.

So, why does God allow this today? Maybe because God wants us to live in a world with free will and the ability to choose to love Him or not.

As for me I choose to trust God and His infinite wisdom more than mine.

This may sound kind of sad, and while sin is heartbreaking, in the end of the story it really turns out good for those who choose to believe.

Satan will always be a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy people. That’s a pretty important thing to know. If you’re feeling robbed of your joy, dead inside, and utterly shattered, you’re right where satan wants you. But there is great hope that Jesus came so we could have life and have it abundantly.

Jesus defeated death. He was the perfect sacrifice for all sin for all time. He gives us the fullest life. God made a way for you and me to be with Him despite all the times we’ve chosen pride and lies over Him.

In the end, it is important to remember that Satan may seek to destroy but ultimately Satan has been defeated by Jesus. While Satan’s lies and temptation may continue to challenge us, the truth of Jesus’s victory in the cross provided the power to resist Satan’s evil influence.

Satan may have authority in this world for a time, but Revelation reminds us, Satan’s reign is temporary. The kingdom of God and the resurrection of Jesus ensure that Satan, and his demons, will be cast into hell and will ultimately be vanquished, and God’s perfect plan for creation will prevail.

So, yes Satan is real. He’s a liar. But he is being defeated every day when we choose what’s right over what’s easy.