The Reality of the Devil
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
The word “Satan” means “adversary.” The word “devil” means “accuser” or “slanderer.” This being (most likely an angel that God created and then sinned falling from heaven [2 Peter 2:4, Revelation 12:7-9]) is both the primal enemy of God (and his people) and the one who accuses God (and his people). He tempted Eve in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-4), brought cruel trials upon Job (Job 1:9-12, 2:4-7), and tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:1-10). He is the adversary of God’s people because he seeks to sift them like wheat (Luke 22:31), devour them (1 Peter 5:8), and oppress them (Acts 10:38). He is the enemy of all righteousness (Acts 13:10), the father of lies, and a murderer (John 8:44).
The devil is a corruption of something that was once good. He perverts what is good and uses it for purposes that oppose God. When people oppose God, they do the devil’s work and are used by him for his own purposes. (We have mercy upon those who sin because they are being used.)
The devil does not compromise. He demands absolute loyalty. He will not quit until he has conquered as many as he can. God’s people should not compromise with his evil, but use the message of the gospel to convert people to Jesus Christ since the devil’s goal is to get as many as he can to go to hell, a place prepared for him and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Don’t be deceived by his lies as he can appear as an angel of light to trick you (2 Corinthians 11:14).