Based on the sermon prepared and preached by Jeff Jantzi, March 2, 2025
C.S. Lewis once wrote in The Screwtape Letters:
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”
Both extremes are dangerous. Ignoring the devil leaves us vulnerable to his schemes, while obsessing over him gives him undue influence in our lives. Instead, Scripture calls us to recognize his reality, understand his tactics, and—most importantly—walk in the victory that Jesus has already won.
Who is the Devil? A Look at His Names
Throughout the Bible, the devil is given several names that reveal his nature and strategies. By understanding these names, we can better guard against his influence.
- The Satan (1 Chronicles 21:1, Job 1–2, Revelation 12:10)
- “Satan” is not just a name; it is a title that means The Adversary. He stands in opposition to God’s people, seeking to accuse and destroy.
- Revelation 12:10 calls him “the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before God day and night.” His goal is to fill us with guilt and shame, keeping us from walking in the freedom Christ provides.
- The Devil (1 Peter 5:8-9, 1 John 3:8)
- The word devil means “slanderer” or “false accuser.” He spreads lies about God, others, and ourselves, twisting the truth to create doubt and division.
- 1 Peter 5:8 warns us that “your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
- Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12)
- The name Lucifer means “Bearer of Light.” Originally, he was created as a beautiful and powerful angel, but pride led to his downfall.
- He disguises himself as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), making sin appear attractive and deceiving people into following his ways.
- The Evil One (Matthew 6:13, 13:19; John 17:15)
- Jesus refers to him as “The Evil One,” showing that he is the source of all that is wicked, corrupt, and opposed to God.
- His influence is behind much of the brokenness and sin in the world.
- Think: War, genocide, violence, human trafficking and slavery, corruption, systemic injustice & oppression, greed, selfishness, pride and ego, deception and dishonesty, addiction and dependency….
- The Tempter (Matthew 4:1)
- He tempted Jesus in the wilderness and continues to tempt us today, appealing to our desires in an attempt to lead us into sin.
- His goal is to separate us from God by enticing us into disobedience.
- The Deceiver – The Father of Lies (John 8:44)
- Jesus calls him “the father of lies,” saying that lying is his native language.
- He twists the truth, distorts God’s Word, and fills our minds with falsehoods to lead us astray.
- The Ruler – The god of This Age (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4)
- Though God is ultimately sovereign, the devil has been granted a measure of influence over the world for a time.
- He works behind the scenes to shape culture, blind people to the truth, and promote sin and destruction.
The Evil One and the Reality of Sin
Wherever there is evil—wherever sin and its effects are at work—the Evil One/The Satan/The Devil is behind it, using it to advance his purposes in the world. However, this does not mean that human beings are not responsible for their actions.
It is not enough to say, “The devil made me do it.” As fallen, sinful people with free will, we are accountable for the choices we make. The devil cannot force us to do anything. But he can:
- Influence us
- Deceive us
- Coerce us into thinking and acting in ways that go against God
And whenever he can pull us deeper into sin—dragging our lives, our families, and our world further into chaos and disorder—he will. Why? Because that is his nature. He is The Evil One –the accuser, the deceiver, the father of lies, the slanderer, the tempter, the author of all that is wicked and corrupt.
The Defeated Foe
Though the devil is active, his defeat is certain. When Jesus went to the cross, what looked like defeat was actually a moment of total victory.
“You were dead because of your sins… Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us (that The Accuser made) and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14)
But Jesus didn’t just make forgiveness possible—He also disarmed the enemy:
“He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross.” (Colossians 2:15)
Because of Christ’s victory:
- We don’t have to listen to the devil’s accusations.
- We don’t have to believe his lies.
- We don’t have to live in fear.
The enemy knows he’s already lost—he just refuses to accept it. Like a snake with its head cut off, he can still bite, but his power is limited.
So while we must be careful, we do not need to be fearful. Through Christ, we already have the victory. And one day, Satan’s final defeat will be complete (Revelation 20).
Praise God—the enemy is a defeated foe!
