Satan is a Deceiver

Satan is also known as the devil.  He has evil spirits doing his dirty work since the first sin in the Garden of Eden.  Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy mankind.

Chapter three of Genesis (NIV) tells how the serpent deceived Eve to eat of the Tree of Life.  His part in the first sin caused men to fall from God’s grace.  God’s plan to redeem man back to him started before the Earth was created.

Satan acts like an angel.  In Second Corinthians chapter eleven, Paul wrote about Satan’s deception of humans through false prophets.  In verses fourteen and fifteen: for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Satan is the Accuser of the Righteous

The book of Job started with the fact that Satan approached God.  God asked Satan if he considered Job.  Satan expressed that Job would curse God to his face if everything was taken from Job.  Even though never happened, God allowed Satan to take away everything from Job, including his health.

In Zechariah chapter three verses one and two: Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. ² The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

Satan is the Tempter

The book of Matthew shows Jesus versus Satan in the wilderness.  Jesus had fasted for forty days and was hungry.  Chapter four verses one through eleven: Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.