Topical Bible: The Devil: Character of Deceitful

◄ The Devil: Character of Deceitful ►

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The Devil, also known as Satan, is a central figure in Christian theology, often depicted as the embodiment of evil and deceit. His character is consistently portrayed throughout the Bible as one who seeks to deceive and lead humanity away from God. This entry explores the deceitful nature of the Devil as presented in the Scriptures.

Origin and Nature of Deceit

The Devil's deceitful character is first introduced in the book of Genesis, where he appears in the form of a serpent. In Genesis 3:1 , it is written, "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made." Here, the term "crafty" underscores his cunning and deceptive nature. The Devil's primary tactic is to distort the truth, as seen when he questions Eve about God's command, leading her to doubt and ultimately disobey God.

Deception in the Temptation of Christ

The New Testament further illustrates the Devil's deceitful character during the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. In Matthew 4:1-11 , the Devil attempts to deceive Jesus by twisting Scripture to serve his purposes. He challenges Jesus to turn stones into bread, throw Himself down from the temple, and worship him in exchange for the kingdoms of the world. Each temptation is met with Jesus' firm rebuttal, using Scripture to counter the Devil's lies. This passage highlights the Devil's persistent efforts to deceive, even when faced with the Son of God.

The Father of Lies

In John 8:44 , Jesus directly addresses the deceitful nature of the Devil, saying, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies." This powerful statement by Jesus identifies the Devil as the originator of falsehood, emphasizing that deceit is intrinsic to his character.

Deception of the Nations

The book of Revelation provides a prophetic vision of the Devil's ultimate fate and his role in deceiving the nations. Revelation 12:9 describes him as "the great dragon... who deceives the whole world." This passage underscores the global scope of his deceitful influence, as he leads entire nations astray. Furthermore, Revelation 20:3 speaks of a time when the Devil will be bound "so that he should not deceive the nations any longer," indicating that his primary activity is deception.

Deceit in the Last Days

The Apostle Paul warns of the Devil's deceitful work in the last days in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 , where he writes, "The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing." This passage highlights the Devil's use of false signs and wonders to deceive those who do not love the truth, further illustrating his character as a deceiver.

Armor Against Deception

Believers are admonished to be vigilant against the Devil's deceit. Ephesians 6:11 instructs, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." The "schemes" mentioned here refer to the Devil's cunning plans and deceitful strategies. Christians are called to equip themselves with truth, righteousness, and faith to withstand his deceptive attacks.

Throughout the Bible, the Devil is consistently portrayed as a master of deceit, whose primary objective is to lead humanity away from the truth of God. His character as the father of lies and deceiver of nations is a central theme in Scripture, warning believers to remain steadfast in their faith and vigilant against his cunning tactics.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Character of the Unregenerate.
... their hearers, in the ruins of their deceitful-building ... yourselves out of the snare
of the devil, who are ... I am now to describe the character of unregenerate men ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse i of the character.htm

"The Axe is Laid to the Root. "
... The Holy Ghost does not destroy character, but uses it ... THE DEVIL'S TREES WHICH GROW
IN GOD'S ORCHARD ... early church, but they were selfish and deceitful, and after ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxi the axe is laid.htm

The Character of Its Teachings Evidences the Divine Authorship of ...
... of teaching that man is a noble character, evolving heavenwards ... "The heart is deceitful
above all ... the dominion of that old serpent, the devil, whom Scripture ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter four the character of.htm

Letter vi. Temptation.
... There is not one good quality in his character. ... you may be sure it is a delusion
of the devil. ... Our own hearts are exceedingly deceitful; and our indwelling ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter vi temptation.htm

The Comer's Conflict with Satan
... you are altogether become filthy; your heart is deceitful above all ... but not for you;
you are a peculiar character." I remember the devil once made me ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the comers conflict with satan.htm

The Revelation and Career of the Anti-Christ.
... He was the Devil incarnate; he was the Son of Perdition ... former, in the sense that
it is infernal in its character. ... He is the "bloody and deceitful man" of Ps.5:6 ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the revelation and career.htm

"Lo, I Come": Application
... judged you to be of a most amiable character, and your ... "Then said I, Lo, I come."
The devil has trodden ... but after the serpent has done his deceitful work, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/lo i come application.htm

None of Your Party, O Manes, Will You Make a Galatian...
... has despatched you in a similar character, and as ... given to understand beforehand
that the devil himself is ... changing of his countenance and his deceitful dealing ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/36 none of your party.htm

2 Cor. xi. 21
... did destroy it, saying, "False Apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning ... trial was
of a measured character, he devises ... trophy, thus is the Devil overthrown when ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxv 2 cor xi.htm

Whether it is Fitting to Say that when Christ was Baptized the ...
... holy spirit of discipline will flee from the deceitful." For the dove is an animal
of a simple character, void of ... in order to escape the assaults of the devil. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is fitting to 2.htm