What does it mean that Satan is the accuser?

Answer

Satan is God’s great enemy, and consequently the adversary of Christians. Among various other titles, Satan is recognized as the accuser.

Satan was once a splendid and mighty cherub, likely the most exalted of all angels. However, sin was discovered in him “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”, (Ezekiel 28:15), and he was filled with pride, aspiring to surpass the Lord God (Isaiah 14:12-15). He led a host of angels in rebellion, leading to his expulsion from heaven—along with all the angels who followed him (Ezekiel 28:17-18). Presently, Satan roams the earth, attempting to obstruct as many as possible from choosing salvation and living in obedience “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”, (1 Peter 5:8). Furthermore, Satan serves as the accuser of believers, seeking to discredit them before God.

Currently, God has granted Satan the accuser restricted access to heaven. In the book of Job, we witness Satan accusing a righteous man named Job before God, alleging that Job is only faithful because God has blessed him abundantly (Job 1:9-10). Satan suggests that if Job is tested, he would eventually renounce God and abandon his righteous ways (verse 11;2:4-5). In His omniscience, God knows that Job will remain unwavering, and He grants Satan the accuser permission.

Permission to test Job.

The book of Revelation provides insight into Satan’s role as an accuser: “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven proclaiming: ‘Now have come the salvation, power, and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been cast down'” «And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. », (Revelation 12:10). Satan persistently makes accusations—he continually accuses God’s children. He detests God and all that God represents, including His mercy and forgiveness extended to sinful humanity. Satan, the accuser, stands before God in an attempt to somehow diminish God’s love or mercy. Fortunately, his accusations against us fall on deaf ears: “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies” «Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. », (Romans 8:33). Salvation belongs to the Lord, and His justification cannot be reversed. God is greater than our accuser.

Satan, the accuser, aims to remind believers of their sin and their unworthiness of a place in God’s family, thereby sowing doubt into their hearts and minds. Satan seeks to instill fear in Christians regarding their salvation and to make them forget God’s love and faithfulness. Satan says, “Look at your sinfulness”; God says, “Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith” see Hebrews 12:2.

Despite Satan’s accusations and deceptions, God will not change His mind about those He has called to salvation (Romans 8:38-39).

ans 8:38-39). He has set the accuser’s ultimate fate: “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever” «And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever. », (Revelation 20:10). After God creates the new heaven and new earth, Satan will be absent for eternity (Revelation 21:1-4, 27). Believers can rest in the knowledge that our salvation is sure (Romans 11:29; Ephesians 1:13-14) and take comfort in the promise that God will complete the good work He began in us «being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: », (Philippians 1:6).

In his book The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan describes a battle between the accuser, Apollyon, and Christian in the Valley of Humiliation. One of Apollyon’s ploys is to recite a laundry list of Christian’s sins: “Thou didst faint at first setting out, when thou wast almost choked in the Gulf of Despond; thou didst attempt wrong ways to be rid of thy burden, whereas thou shouldst have stayed till thy Prince had taken it off; thou didst sinfully sleep and lose thy choice thing; thou wast also almost persuaded to go back at the sight of the lions; and when thou talkest of thy journey, and of what thou hast heard and seen, thou art inwardly desirous of vain-glory in all that thou sayest or doest.”

Christian’s response to the accuser is full of humility and faith: “Al

All this is true; and much more that you have omitted: but the Prince whom I serve and honor is merciful and ready to forgive. Moreover, these weaknesses afflicted me in your country; for there I acquired them, and I have suffered from them, repented of them, and have received pardon from my Prince.” When Christ’s forgiveness is mentioned, Apollyon becomes furious; Satan the accuser cannot tolerate the fact that his accusations are defeated by the grace of God in Christ.