Why did God allow Satan and the demons to sin?

Answer

With both angels and humanity, God chose to present a choice. While the Bible does not provide many details regarding Satan’s rebellion and the fallen angels, it appears that Satan—likely the greatest of all angels (Ezekiel 28:12-18)—in pride chose to rebel against God to seek to become his own god. Satan (Lucifer) did not desire to worship or obey God; he aspired to be God (Isaiah 14:12-14). Revelation 12:4 is interpreted as a symbolic depiction of one-third of the angels opting to follow Satan in his rebellion, becoming the fallen angels—demons.

However, unlike humanity, the angels’ decision to follow Satan or remain loyal to God was final. The Bible does not offer a chance for the fallen angels to repent and receive forgiveness. Jesus came for the redemption of humanity, not angels “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”, (Hebrews 2:16). The Bible also does not suggest that more angels can sin. The angels who stay faithful to God are referred to as the “elect angels” “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.”, (1 Timothy 5:21). Satan and the fallen angels had full knowledge of God’s glory. Their rebellion, despite this knowledge, was the epitome of evil. Consequently, God does not offer Satan and the other fallen angels a chance to repent. Moreover, the Bible does not provide any indication that they would repent even if given the opportunity.God gave them the opportunity to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). God gave Satan and the angels the same choice He gave Adam and Eve: to obey Him or not. The angels had the freedom to choose; God did not compel or incite any of the angels to sin. Satan and the fallen angels sinned of their own volition and thus deserve God’s eternal wrath in the lake of fire.

Why did God grant the angels this choice, knowing the consequences? God was aware that one third of the angels would rebel and face eternal damnation. He also knew that Satan would continue his rebellion by tempting humanity to sin. So, why did God permit it? The Bible does not explicitly answer this question. The same inquiry can be made about nearly any evil deed. Why does God permit it? Ultimately, it boils down to God’s sovereignty over His creation. The psalmist informs us, “As for God, His way is perfect” “As for God, his way is perfect: The word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him” (Psalm 18:30). Since God’s ways are “perfect,” we can trust that whatever He does—and whatever He allows—is also perfect. Therefore, the flawless plan from our flawless God was to permit sin. Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts, nor are our ways His ways, as He reminds us in Isaiah 55:8-9.