Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:13-18
(Part 2)
Your Adversary, the Devil: The Origin of Satan
Intro.
1. Knowing our origin gives our lives context, direction and responsibility.
a. Created in the image of God, Acts 17:29-31.
b. Spiritual origin, Jas. 1:18; Gal. 4:5-7.
2. Likewise, knowing the origin of our adversary, the devil, gives us context to understand him, to recognize his tactics, and to know his weaknesses (2 Cor. 2:11).
I. THE ORIGIN OF SATAN: FROM WHERE DID SATAN COME?
-Much of the (limited) information in the Scriptures about his origin requires using necessary inferences to help us discern his origin.
-We must be careful to sort out and distinguish men’s traditions and fiction from Biblical content, context and conclusions.
-Example: Using Isa. 14:12 (king of Babylon) and Ezek. 28:11-26 (king of Tyre) to explain the origin of Satan is a faulty way to interpret Scripture.
A. What the Bible does not Say about the Origin of Satan.
-Bible does not say Satan is a fallen angel whom God kicked out of heaven. Distortions of Ezek. 28:14-16 (12); Isa. 14:12 (4, 16-17).
B. Satan is a Created Being, Col. 1:15-17 (v. 16).
* 1. Does not mean God created him evil (which would make God the source of all evil, Psa. 5:4; Jas. 1:13).
2. Conclude: Satan chose his evil course of conduct in direct contradiction to God.
a. He made sin his career, 1 Jno. 3:8.
b. Instigator and perpetrator of murder (physical and spiritual, leading to eternal death), Jno. 8:44; Heb. 2:14.
-Murderer from the beginning: Jesus “charges him with bringing death in all its destructive power upon the whole of mankind.[1]
C. The Condemnation of Satan:
1. Pride, 1 Tim. 3:6.
* a. “...lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.” (NASV)
b. “...lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” (NKJV)
2. Presumption, cf. Jude 8-9 (6; 2 Pet. 2:4) Rejected God’s authority and glory.
3. Prevarication (lying), Jno. 8:44. (A murderous liar)
II. THE LIMITATIONS OF SATAN.
A. Satan was not Strong Enough to Defeat Christ, Rev. 12:7 (1-6); Jno. 12:31.
B. By Christ’s Power, Satan has been “Cast Out” / “Cast Down” from his Position of Strength over Sinners, Rev. 12:10.
-The power of the fear of death, Heb. 2:14-15.
C. Satan is not All-Powerful, cf. Job 1:12; 2:6. He acts within the boundaries established by God.
* 1. God’s controlling hand is present to protect His people.
2. What about demonic possession?
a. Its end anticipated and predicted, Zech. 13:1-2.
b. Jesus has broken Satan’s power, Matt. 12:22, 29; 1 Jno. 3:8.
* 3. Satan acts within the constraints of our freewill choices – he does not exercise involuntary dominance over anyone, Eph. 6:11-13 (cf. Judas, Jno. 13:2, 27).
4. He is bound by the superior power of Christ, Rev. 20:2. (cf. A dog on a chain can still bite you if you get too close!)
D. Satan is not All-Present, cf. Lk. 4:13; Jas. 4:7.
-You can resist Satan and he will flee.
Conclusion
1. There are simply some things about Satan that are not revealed to us (Deut. 29:29).
2. Enough is revealed about Satan’s origin to know he arrogantly chose not to honor God, to fight against the purposes of God, and to lie to and murder mankind, God’s highest creation.
3. Satan is not all-powerful; He is restrained by God and defeated in Christ (1 Jno. 3:8).
4. His lies are attractive, yet deadly. His end is eternal destruction. In Christ, our reward is eternal life, Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:21.
[1] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. John’s Gospel (p. 650). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: June 16, 2016