It is really odd to me that when I was growing up we heard about the devil all the time but today we rarely hear about him. In church, when I was growing up, the devil and hell were two topics that were weaved into every sermon each week.

In my youth group, the devil was discussed and blamed for every thought or action that teenagers did or had contrary to the teachings of the bible.

At home, my parents would say things like “that’s the devil talking” when I said things inappropriate or “the devil had hold on so and so” when talking bout someone who had fallen away from church.

As a kid, we dabbled with demonic stuff like the Ouija Board, going to grave yards to attempt to see demonic spirits , trying to hold a seance at a slumber party or calling forth the dead, Bloody Mary, in the mirror of a dark bathroom with a candle.

There was common theme back then and it was fear. Satan was bad and we should be afraid of him, avoid him and tell others about him. The theme is still true today but we don’t really talk about him. Don’t get me wrong, Heaven is wonderful and we want to go there and take all our family and friends with us, but hell is real too and not a place for anyone. As the old saying goes, I don’t even want my worst enemies to spend eternity in hell.

I do want to tell people the wonderful things about heaven and what awaits those who have accepted Christ once we pass this life but I also think they need to know about Satan and hell. He is real and so is hell. We need all Christians to spread the word in order to take more people to heaven and as Christians we need to be educated on this sly demon who hates God and us so much.

Satan, also known as the devil or the adversary, is a powerful and malevolent spiritual being whose ultimate goal is to oppose God and destroy His people. As Christians, it’s crucial to understand the nature of our enemy and equip ourselves with the knowledge and spiritual tools to overcome his attacks.

According to Scripture, Satan was originally created as a beautiful and powerful angel named Lucifer, who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven along with a third of the angels who followed him (Revelation 12:7-9). In his rebellion, he became the adversary of God and humanity, seeking to thwart God’s plans and lead people away from Him.

Satan is often depicted as a fallen angel or a dark, malevolent figure. While Scripture doesn’t provide a physical description of Satan, it portrays him as a deceiver who masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Satan’s primary goal is to oppose God and His kingdom. He seeks to deceive, accuse, and tempt humanity into rebellion against God. Satan desires to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), and he prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

Satan hates Christians because they are God’s children and followers of Jesus Christ. Christians represent a threat to his kingdom of darkness, and he seeks to undermine their faith, sow discord, and hinder their witness for Christ. Satan hates God because of his pride and desire to exalt himself above God (Isaiah 14:12-15).

After his fall from heaven, Satan and his demons are confined to the earth and the spiritual realm. Scripture describes Satan as the ruler of this world (John 12:31) and the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), exerting influence and power over the fallen world.

He goes after Christians relentlessly, seeking to undermine their faith, tempt them into sin, and hinder their spiritual growth. He attacks during moments of weakness, doubt, and vulnerability, using deception, temptation, and spiritual warfare to lead believers astray.

As Christians, we can be victorious over Satan’s attacks through the power of Jesus Christ and the armor of God. Scripture tells us to resist the devil, and he will flee from us (James 4:7). We can overcome Satan by:

1. Submitting to God: Surrendering our lives to God and submitting to His authority empowers us to resist the devil’s schemes.

2. Putting on the Armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-18 outlines the spiritual armor we need to stand firm against Satan’s attacks, including the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God).

3. Prayer and Fasting: Engaging in fervent prayer and fasting strengthens our spiritual resolve and reliance on God’s power to overcome the enemy. Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is a great example (Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus prayed to God for strength, and He was able to resist Satan’s temptation.

4. Resisting Temptation: Recognizing and resisting Satan’s temptations through the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to walk in obedience and righteousness.

5. Renewing our Minds: Transforming our minds through the study of God’s Word and the renewing work of the Holy Spirit helps us discern truth from lies and resist Satan’s deceptions.

6. Relying on our Power of Faith: Faith in God can help us resist Satan’s attacks. The story of Job as an example (Job 1:1-22). Job had strong faith in God, even when Satan attacked him.

While both trials allowed by God and attacks from the devil can bring challenges and difficulties into our lives, there are some distinctions to consider:

1. Trials: Trials are tests of faith that God allows in our lives to refine and strengthen us (James 1:2-4). They may come as a result of living in a fallen world or as opportunities for spiritual growth and maturity.

2. Attacks from the Devil: Attacks from the devil are aimed at undermining our faith, causing doubt, and leading us into sin and rebellion against God. They often involve deception, temptation, and spiritual warfare.

Ultimately, discerning whether our troubles are from the devil or a trial requires seeking wisdom and guidance from God through prayer, studying His Word, and seeking counsel from mature believers.

Satan is a formidable adversary, but as Christians, we have been equipped with the power of Jesus Christ and the armor of God to stand firm against his attacks. By submitting to God, putting on the full armor of God, and resisting the devil, we can be victorious over his schemes. Let us remain vigilant, discerning, and steadfast in our faith as we confront the enemy and walk in victory through Christ.