Topical Bible: The Devil: Character of Fierce and Cruel

◄ The Devil: Character of Fierce and Cruel ►

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The Devil, also known as Satan, is depicted throughout the Bible as a being of immense malevolence and cruelty. His character is consistently portrayed as one of fierce opposition to God and His creation, embodying the essence of evil and destruction.

Fierce Adversary

The Devil is described as a fierce adversary, constantly seeking to undermine God's purposes and lead humanity astray. In 1 Peter 5:8 , believers are warned, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This imagery of a roaring lion highlights the Devil's aggressive and predatory nature, always on the lookout for opportunities to attack and destroy.

Cruel Deceiver

Satan's cruelty is evident in his role as the deceiver of mankind. From the very beginning, he is seen as the one who deceives and leads astray. In Genesis 3, he cunningly tempts Eve in the Garden of Eden, leading to the fall of humanity. Jesus Himself refers to the Devil as a liar and the father of lies in John 8:44 : "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."

Instigator of Suffering

The Devil's cruelty is further demonstrated in his instigation of suffering and affliction. In the Book of Job, Satan challenges God by asserting that Job's faithfulness is due to his prosperity. God permits Satan to test Job, resulting in immense suffering and loss for Job. This narrative illustrates Satan's desire to inflict pain and his belief that suffering can lead to the downfall of the righteous.

Accuser of the Brethren

In Revelation 12:10 , Satan is referred to as "the accuser of our brothers," who accuses them before God day and night. This title underscores his relentless efforts to condemn and bring charges against God's people, highlighting his cruel intent to destroy their standing before God.

Tempter and Destroyer

The Devil's role as a tempter is seen in the wilderness temptation of Jesus, where he attempts to lead Christ away from His divine mission (Matthew 4:1-11). His ultimate goal is to thwart God's redemptive plan and bring about spiritual ruin. In John 10:10 , Jesus contrasts His mission with that of the Devil, stating, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness."

Enemy of Righteousness

Throughout Scripture, the Devil is depicted as the enemy of righteousness, constantly opposing God's truth and justice. In Ephesians 6:12 , Paul reminds believers of the spiritual battle against such forces: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

The Devil's character as fierce and cruel is a central theme in the biblical narrative, serving as a stark contrast to the goodness and mercy of God. His relentless pursuit of destruction and deception underscores the need for vigilance and reliance on God's strength to resist his schemes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 8:29
(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he broke the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 9:39,42
And, see, a spirit takes him, and he suddenly cries out; and it tears him that he foams again, and bruising him hardly departs from him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:
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Library

Love and Remorse
... David here, though he could be fierce and cruel ... marks of passions, moody and suspicious,
devil-ridden and ... gives us many traits of beauty in Saul's character. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love and remorse.htm

A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ...
... who is implacably hostile to us, the devil: but yet ... But although this is its character
it seems to be ... although she is terrible and harsh, and fierce and cruel ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/a treatise to prove that.htm

The Puritan Conflict.
... carry on; of a disposition too fierce and cruel ... altogether so bad in his personal
character as unfit ... writing the Histrio-Mastix, 'either the devil had assisted ...
/.../ 92 the puritan conflict.htm

The Panoply of God
... especially threatens moral and spiritual character, and these ... the midwinter of adversity,
just as fierce sunshine may ... may be tempted by the devil, though less ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the panoply of god.htm

John Calvin. His Life and Character.
... fidelity, sincere humility are the prominent traits of his character. ... force in their
hard work, and in fierce battles with the pope and the devil. ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 56 john calvin his.htm

Endurance of the World's Censure.
... was it that this conflict, and this character and issue of ... untrue words, or with
cold, or fierce, or jealous ... But though the devil cannot persecute us, he does ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon x endurance of the.htm

The Gentle Boy
... disease, and "death by rottenness," of the fierce and cruel ... in the garb of piety;
the character of her ... the Devil entereth into the council-chamber, like a lame ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the gentle boy.htm

Concerning Peaceableness
... By nature we are of a fierce cruel disposition. ... It shows us the character of a true
saint. ... war with their sins as they have made themselves in the devil's image ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/18 concerning peaceableness.htm

Eutyches is Indignant
... as he gave place to the devil, and flung the ... had been poured forth upstanding, and
with fierce gesticulations, in ... so deadly an outrage on the character of his ...
/.../chapter xxix eutyches is indignant.htm

Acts xiv. 14, 15
... and Iconium" (v.19)."Indeed children of the devil, that not in ... privy to any such
thing, or the character of one ... they say he is a wild beast, fierce and cruel ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxi acts xiv 14.htm