The Truth About the Devil and Satan

Introduction

The subject of the devil has suffered from a history of presuppositions which are not in accord with the truth of Scripture. It will be the purpose of this article to lay down a series of scriptural quotes to ascertain the basis for the belief that what the Bible refers to as the devil and satan is actually:

• Sin in the flesh
• Those who manifest flesh

The Devil is Sin in the Flesh

1. The key verse to begin a study of the devil is found in Hebrews 2:14

   "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil"

   If the devil is a supposed fallen wicked angel then . . .

   • Taking on flesh and blood is a strange way to battle a powerful immortal angel. "He took not on him the nature of angels" (v.16).
   • Why was the devil destroyed with the death of Jesus? Wouldn't life been more suitable?
   • Doesn't this verse say that the devil is now dead not actively out deceiving souls?

   The popular ideas of the devil are inconsistent and unable to answer the thoughts put forward by the writer to the Hebrews. Hebrews 2:14 gives us several clues to identifying the real devil:

   1. Jesus took on our human nature to overcome the devil.
   2. Jesus destroyed him that has the power of death.
   3. The devil has the power of death.

2. Equating Hebrews 2:14 with other scriptures we find that what Christ did in his death by destroying the devil is analogous to the destruction of sin.
   • (Heb. 9:26) "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."
   • (1 Cor. 15:3) "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;"
   • (Isa. 53:5) "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
   • (1 Pet. 2:24) "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."
   • (1 John 3:5) "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin." COMPARE (1 John 3:8) "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
   • Sin in the flesh is the principle! (Rom. 8:3) "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:"

3. There are other scriptures showing that the devil, which has the power of death, is actually sin.
   • (Rom. 5:12) "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"
   • (Rom. 5:21) "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
   • (Rom. 6:23) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
   • (1 Cor. 15:21) "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead."
   • (1 Cor. 15:56) "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law."

4. Sin comes from within a person and can only be equated to the devil by seeing that it is man's nature or his flesh. The author of sin is not some wicked fallen angel but can only be attributed to man.
   • (James 1:15) "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." See also James 4:1
   • (Mark 7:15-23) "There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man... (23) All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
   • (Jer. 17:9) "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
   • (Eccl. 9:3) "This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead."
   • The book of Romans is largely concerned with sin, its origin, and how Christ's death can save man yet there no mention of the devil and only once is the word satan used.

5. The real battle is between the flesh and spirit. Two principles which are at enmity in ourselves.
   • (Rom. 7:18-21) "another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind".
   • (Rom. 8:6-7) "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
   • (1 John 2:16) "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
   • (Gal. 5:17) "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."

The Devil are Those Who Manifest Flesh

1. Sin, as well as the devil, are personified in the Bible.
   • (John 8:34) "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."
   • (Romans 5:21) "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
   • (Romans 6:16) "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"

2. The serpent in Genesis becomes representative of the false accuser because "thou shalt not surely die" was the first lie in the Bible. All those who manifiest flesh and sin are termed the "seed of the serpent" or "of the devil".
   • (Gen. 3:15) "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
   • The Pharisees - (Mat. 23:33) "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers (=seed of the serpent), how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"
   • (John 8:44) "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
   • (1 John 3:8) "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."

3. Groups of people manifesting sin are termed the devil or satan.
   • The Roman power - (Rev. 2:10) "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
   • Pergamos a seat of Roman power - (Rev. 2:13) "I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth." - not hell?
   • The world vs. Christ's kingdom - (Rev. 20:2) "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,"; which is analogous to (Rev. 11:15) "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."