Is the devil a person or a personification of evil?

Answer

Although he has convinced many people that he does not exist, Satan is undeniably a real, personal being, the origin of all disbelief and every form of moral and spiritual wickedness in the world. He is referred to by various names in the Bible, such as Satan (meaning “adversary”—Job 1:6; Romans 16:20), the devil (i.e., “slanderer”—Matthew 4:1; 1 Peter 5:8), Lucifer “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, who weakened the nations!”, (Isaiah 14:12), the serpent (2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9), and others.

The existence of Satan as a personal being is confirmed by the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ acknowledged him as such. Jesus frequently mentioned him by name (e.g., Luke 10:18; Matthew 4:10) and identified him as “the prince of this world” (John 12:31; John 14:30; John 16:11).

The apostle Paul referred to Satan as the “god of this world” “In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”, (2 Corinthians 4:4) and the “prince of the power of the air” “Wherein in time past…Ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: », (Ephesians 2:2). The apostle John said, “The whole world is under the control of the evil one” «And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. », (1 John 5:19) and that Satan “leads the whole world astray” «And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. », (Revelation 12:9). These could hardly be descriptions of an impersonal force or a mere personification of evil.

The Scriptures teach that, before man and the world were created, God had created an “innumerable company of angels” «but ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, », (Hebrews 12:22), a heavenly host of spiritual beings of great strength and intelligence. The highest of these beings are the cherubim, who are attendants at the very throne of God, and the “anointed cherub” was originally Satan himself «Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. », (Ezekiel 28:14). He was “full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.”

God did not create Satan as an evil being, however. The angels, like man, were created as free spirits, not as unthinking machines. They were fully

able to reject God’s will and rebel against His authority if they choose.

The fundamental sin, in both humans and angels, is the dual sin of unbelief and pride. Satan said in his heart, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God . . . I will be like the most High” «For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: », (Isaiah 14:13,14) «I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. », (Isaiah 14:13,14). These actions and motivations could hardly belong to an impersonal force.

Jesus also described some of the characteristics of Satan. Christ said he was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him, and that when he speaks he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies «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. », (John 8:44).

It is crucial for Christians to acknowledge the reality of Satan and comprehend that he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour «Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: », (1 Peter 5:8). Overcoming sin and temptation from the devil by ourselves is impossible, but Scripture guides us on how to be strong. We must put on the full armor of God and wWithstand Temptation «Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. », (Ephesians 6:13).