Topical Bible: The Devil: Character of Malignant

◄ The Devil: Character of Malignant ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Devil, also known as Satan, is depicted in the Bible as the embodiment of evil and the adversary of God and humanity. His character is consistently portrayed as malignant, seeking to corrupt, deceive, and destroy.

Origin and Fall

The Devil's origin is hinted at in passages such as Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-17, which describe the fall of a once-glorious being due to pride and rebellion against God. Although these passages primarily address the kings of Babylon and Tyre, they are often interpreted as allusions to Satan's fall. The Devil's pride led to his expulsion from heaven, marking the beginning of his malignant nature.

Deceiver and Accuser

The Devil's role as a deceiver is evident from the very beginning of human history. In Genesis 3, he appears as a serpent, cunningly leading Eve to doubt God's word and enticing her to sin. This act of deception set the stage for the fall of humanity. Jesus refers to the Devil as "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44), emphasizing his deceitful nature.

In addition to being a deceiver, the Devil is also an accuser. In the book of Job, he appears before God, challenging the integrity of Job and accusing him of serving God only for personal gain (Job 1:9-11). Revelation 12:10 describes him as "the accuser of our brothers," who accuses believers before God day and night.

Tempter and Adversary

The Devil's role as a tempter is further illustrated in the New Testament. In the wilderness, he tempts Jesus, attempting to divert Him from His divine mission (Matthew 4:1-11). This encounter highlights the Devil's persistent efforts to undermine God's plans and lead individuals into sin.

As an adversary, the Devil actively opposes God's people. 1 Peter 5:8 warns believers to "be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" . This imagery underscores his relentless pursuit to harm and devour those who follow Christ.

Source of Evil and Suffering

The Devil is often associated with the presence of evil and suffering in the world. His influence is seen in the spread of sin, violence, and chaos. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers that their 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" . This passage highlights the Devil's role in orchestrating spiritual warfare against humanity.

Ultimate Defeat

Despite his malignant character and influence, the Bible assures believers of the Devil's ultimate defeat. Revelation 20:10 prophesies his final judgment: "And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever" . This promise of his eternal punishment offers hope to believers, affirming that evil will not prevail.

Throughout Scripture, the Devil is consistently portrayed as a malignant force, opposing God and seeking to lead humanity astray. His character is marked by deception, accusation, temptation, and opposition, yet his ultimate defeat is assured by God's sovereign plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 1:9
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Does Job fear God for nothing?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 2:4
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yes, all that a man has will he give for his life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4190. poneros -- toilsome, bad
... evil one (5), evil things (1), malignant (1), more ... which refers rather to essential
character, as well ... plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4190.htm - 8k

Library

Of the Character of the Unregenerate.
... Do any of the malignant passions harbor there? ... short, He that commitetth sin is of
the devil; (1 John ... an essential branch of every good man's character; for he ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse i of the character.htm

Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... THEIR SPURIOUSNESS PROVED, AND THEIR TRUE CHARACTER EXPLAINED. ... who are of God see
the malignant and pestiferous ... is a false suggestion of the devil, which draws ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm

Prayer and vigilance
... Knowing, therefore, something of the character of the enemy ... able to stand against
the wiles of the devil. ... in the great struggle, faced by malignant forces who ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xi prayer and vigilance.htm

That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party ...
... to beat another, with a black devil to beat a ... and are not engraven with the character
of that ... is the accomplishment and perfecting of the malignant design that ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iii that the employing.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... vera loquuntur, when they speak the truth.' The character of a ... A perjured person
is the devil's excrement ... a tongue; a mercy that God stops malignant mouths from ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

The Peter of History and the Peter of Fiction.
... No character of the Bible, we may say, no personage ... is traced to a deceptive vision
of the devil. ... Magus is, in part at least, a malignant Judaizing caricature ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 26 the peter of.htm

Introductory Note
... with the better side of his character, and a ... to the heathen new grounds for the
malignant slanders with ... the world will say, "he hath a devil." Marvellously the ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/introductory note.htm

Agency of Evil Spirits.
... deny the existence and agency of the devil and his ... The better to disguise his real
character and purposes ... us so many examples of his malignant work, unveiling ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /31 agency of evil spirits.htm

Agency of Evil Spirits
... deny the existence and agency of the devil and his ... The better to disguise his real
character and purposes ... us so many examples of his malignant work, unveiling ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 31 agency of evil.htm

Jesus' Unrequited Friendships.
... Close association reveals loveliness of character, fineness of spirit, richness ... best
friend into the hands of malignant foes ... Judas lost the battle; the Devil won ...
/.../personal friendships of jesus/chapter ix jesus unrequited friendships.htm