Scripture presents Satan and the devil as an adversary, tempter, liar, and deceiver. Jesus calls the devil a liar and murderer from the beginning, Paul calls him the god of this age who blinds the minds of unbelievers, and Peter calls him an adversary who prowls like a lion, seeking someone to devour. Christ answers him with Scripture, and his expulsion and final judgment are described in the Gospel of John and Revelation.
What the Bible Says About This
- Job 1:6–12: among those who came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan appears; he questions Job’s integrity, and the Lord places Job’s possessions in his hand, but not Job himself. This is an account of one event, not a general pattern.
- Matthew 4:1–11: the Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, where the devil tempts Him; the tempter offers to turn stones into bread, throw Himself from the temple roof, and worship him in exchange for the kingdoms of the world. Jesus answers with the words of Scripture and says, “Get behind Me, Satan”; then the devil leaves Him.
- Jesus says that the devil is a murderer from the beginning, did not stand in the truth, and is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).
- Paul writes that the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4); Jesus says that the ruler of this world will be cast out (John 12:31).
- Peter calls the devil an adversary who, like a roaring lion, seeks someone to devour, and urges believers to resist him, standing firm in the faith (1 Peter 5:8–9).
- In Revelation, the dragon, that ancient serpent, is called the devil and Satan, who deceives humanity; he is cast down to the earth with his angels (Revelation 12:9), and the devil is thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur (Revelation 20:10).
- Conclusion: in these passages, Satan is portrayed as an adversary who tempts, lies, and deceives, but is not God’s equal: Jesus overcomes his temptations, and his expulsion and final judgment are described. These passages do not explain Satan’s origin or the time and circumstances of his fall.
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the “Father’s Blessing” Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
8 Scripture Passages · “Father’s Blessing” Bible
Matthew 4:1–11
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. 3 Then the tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But He answered him, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every spoken word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down, for it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will carry You in their hands, lest You strike Your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is also written: ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” 8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, 9 and said to Him, “I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away from Me, Satan, for it is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him alone.’” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and did not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
2 Corinthians 4:4
For those who do not believe, the god of this age has blinded their minds so that the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, would not shine on them.
1 Peter 5:8–9
8 Be sober and vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world.
Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast down, that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
Revelation 20:10
And the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Job 1:6–12
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have You not put a hedge around him, his household, and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
