Who Is the Devil? What Is His Agenda? Is He the God of This World? What Is His Fate?

 

 

The Devil, also called Satan, is portrayed in Scripture as the adversary of God and the deceiver of mankind. Though created by God, he chose to rebel, motivated not by ignorance but by vanity and self-exaltation. His desire was not to serve the Creator, but to elevate himself to a position of divine authority. Isaiah captures this ambition in Satan’s own words:

 

“I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God… I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:13–14, LSB)

 

It is not humility, but vanity and pride that defined Satan’s fall. The prophet Ezekiel likewise notes:

 

“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor.” (Ezekiel 28:17, LSB)

 

Satan’s downfall was not due to weakness, but because he valued his own magnificence above obedience to God. Paul, in instructing Timothy on leadership in the church, warned that a man who is newly converted should not be elevated to a leadership role too quickly “so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:6, LSB)

 

This highlights that Satan’s condemnation was the result of arrogance—conceit springing from vanity and pride.

 

Alongside pride, Satan is also identified as a liar, a deceiver, and a murderer. Jesus spoke plainly:

 

“He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him… he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44, LSB)

 

Because of his jealousy of God’s glory and position, Satan’s entire agenda has been shaped by opposition. He aims to lead mankind away from worshiping God in the way God commands. Paul wrote that Satan blinds the minds of those who don’t believe:

 

“In whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that the illumination of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, will not shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4, LSB)

 

The Devil is called “the god of this age” because of the sway he holds over the present world system—dominated by pride, rebellion, and false worship. He offers distractions, pleasures, and power to lure people into his influence. During His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus was offered the kingdoms of the world if He would only bow to Satan:

 

“All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:9, LSB)

 

Satan seeks the worship due only to God. Jesus rejected this outright, saying, “You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” Jesus described Satan as “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31, LSB), but his dominion is temporary and his defeat is certain.

 

Satan uses all forms of deception—false religions, twisted doctrine, appeals to greed, vanity, and sensuality. He exploits human weakness to separate people from their Creator. He works to prevent mankind from knowing, loving, and worshiping the true God in the way God requires.

 

But God has provided the way of escape through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus not only resisted the Devil during His earthly ministry, but overcame him completely through His obedience, death, and resurrection. Believers are called to follow His example—to walk in the Spirit, resist the desires of the flesh, and live lives of obedience and prayer.

 

Peter warns:

“Be of sober spirit, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, LSB)

 

But James gives us hope and instruction:

“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, LSB)

 

We overcome not by strength alone, but by aligning with God, seeking His help, and living in the truth of His Word. Those who truly desire eternal life must overcome the flesh and spiritual deception. Victory comes through prayer, humility, obedience, and the grace that comes through Christ.

 

Satan’s end is certain. Jesus declared:

“Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41, LSB)

 

John saw the final judgment:

“And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10, LSB)

 

Though his influence is strong in this age, his reign is short. Those who follow Christ in obedience will stand in the victory He has already won, and the Devil will have no part in their future.

 

 

 

 

Referenced Scriptures (LSB):

 

Isaiah 14:13–14, “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God… I will make myself like the Most High.’”

 

Ezekiel 28:17, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor.”

 

1 Timothy 3:6, “…so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil.”

 

John 8:44, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him… he is a liar and the father of lies.”

 

2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that the illumination of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, will not shine on them.”

 

Matthew 4:9, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”

 

John 12:31, “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”

 

1 Peter 5:8, “Be of sober spirit, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

 

James 4:7, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

 

Matthew 25:41, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels.”

 

Revelation 20:10, “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”