Public Enemy Number One

Many people deny that Satan exists, isn’t a spiritual being, or is simply a function or a position between two disputing parties in ancient Hebrew culture, that takes on the meaning of adversary. Some even claim that any spiritual beings other than God is a notion that is foreign to Judaism. Is the devil nothing more than an ideological concept in the minds of Christians?

Those that assert that modern Jewish scholars have a superior understanding of the ancient Hebrew scriptures twist the texts and apply a cultural nuance that distorts their perspective resulting in an erroneous eisegesis of ancient Hebrew writings.

Accuracy in the exposition of the Old Testament can best be ascertained by studying the words and message of the New Testament, since the authors were both Jewish and familiar with the culture of the time. It is their testimony that is the most authoritative when it comes to discerning spiritual matters through a uniquely Jewish lens.

The apostle Paul is credited with writing half of the New Testament. His education and intellect are evident in his writing style and comprehensive arguments concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had a thorough knowledge of the scriptures, the ability to articulate his knowledge and was an early contemporary of the disciples, therefore, his comprehension of Christ’s teachings was synchronized with theirs (Acts 9:26-28; Acts 15:1-31; Galatians 2:11-21).

Paul was Jewish and was well educated in Judaism. He studied under the renowned Pharisee Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) and was the son of a Pharisee and a respected Pharisee himself (Acts 23:6). He was well versed in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek and intimately familiar with Jewish comprehension of the scriptures.

Satan In Scripture

Paul referred to Satan as “the god of this age” in 2 Corinthians 4:4, and stated in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” His understanding was that Satan was a spiritual entity and not simply a metaphysical persona or concept.

In Ephesians 6:11-12, Paul advises, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. for your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Furthermore, in 2 Corinthians 2:11 Paul warns that Satan can “outwit” believers and in 2 Corinthians 4:4, he admonishes, “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.”

Paul also contends that Satan is the ruler of the kingdom of the air in Ephesians 2:2. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”

This comprehension was shared by the disciples. Peter wrote that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) and James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

Elsewhere in scripture we read that Satan presented himself before god and spoke with God (Job 1:6-7). In Zechariah 3:1-2a we read: “Then he showed me Joshuah the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing with him. The Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan!'” God does not speak to abstract notions.

Jesus Provides Insight

The fact that Jesus was Jewish seems to escape modern Jewish deniers of His authority over scripture. During His earthly ministry Jesus observed the Torah and lived and was immersed in Jewish culture. He had a unique command of the Hebrew scriptures since He authored them (Colossians 1:16-17).

Jesus provides unique insight into the identity if Satan and never implied that Satan was anything other than a spiritual being. Jesus said that Satan fell from heaven in Luke 10:18 and called him “the father of lies” and a “murderer” in John 8:44. In John 12:31 and John 14:30 He labeled him “the prince of this world.” These are very personal titles applied to a very real individual.

Satan has a kingdom and Jesus declares in Matthew 12:26, “If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How can his kingdom stand?” (see also Luke 11:18). He called him “the evil one” in Matthew 13:38 and “the enemy” in Matthew 13:39.

The devil is credited as prompting Judas to betray Jesus (John 13:2) and in John 13:27 we are told, “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.” The language is clear that Satan is much more than an ideological concept invented by Christians.

Jesus also said that Satan has angels serving him and that an eternal fire has been prepared for him in Matthew 25:41. In Revelation we are told, “The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray.”

Jesus encountered Satan face to face in Luke 4:1-13, where Satan twisted scripture in an effort to cause him to sin. He used similar tactics in the garden of Eden when he said to Eve, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat fruit from any tree in the garden?'” (Genesis 3:1-20).

Jesus knew what He was saying and the implications of His words in the Jewish culture in which He lived. He, as well as Paul and the other disciples were all familiar with the Hebrew language and Jewish history, religion, culture and the scriptures. Their testimony has greater credibility by far, than modern Jewish scholars who attempt to impose a twenty-first century perspective onto ancient texts.

The Battle Has Been Won

On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus told the disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit. “When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgement, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” (John 16:8-11).

Satan’s condemnation has been proclaimed and soon he will be brought to justice (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10), and the victory we have in Christ through faith in His resurrection is secure (Ephesians 1:19-23). For true believers, the devil has no legal jurisdiction over our lives, yet many fail to recognize and exercise the authority we possess in Christ.

We live in a world where materialism and science provoke a self imposed limitation that denies the existence of spiritual realms. The prevalent influence of Satan is the impetus that keeps civilization blind to public enemy number one so that he can move about freely, undetected by humanity.

The French poet Charles Baudelaire wrote, “The devil’s finest trick is to persuade you that he does not exist.” To deny that Satan exists is to deny the evil that has plagued humanity since the beginning of civilization.

The Bible provides insight into the comprehension of who Satan is and how he operates in our world. Jesus’ triumph over death has negated any claims Satan can make against those who are in Christ Jesus. The battle has been won! Praise the Lord!!!