Topical Bible: The Devil: Sinned Against God

◄ The Devil: Sinned Against God ►

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The Devil, also known as Satan, is a central figure in Christian theology, representing the embodiment of evil and opposition to God. His rebellion against God is a pivotal event in the biblical narrative, marking the origin of sin and the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil.

Origin and Rebellion

The Devil's initial status was that of a high-ranking angelic being, created by God with beauty and wisdom. However, pride and ambition led to his downfall. In Isaiah 14:12-15, the prophet speaks metaphorically of the "morning star" who sought to ascend above God, a passage often associated with Satan's rebellion: "How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the ground, O destroyer of nations." This passage illustrates the Devil's desire to usurp God's authority, resulting in his expulsion from heaven.

Ezekiel 28:12-17 further describes the fall of a cherubic figure, often interpreted as Satan, who was "blameless in your ways from the day you were created until wickedness was found in you." This passage highlights the Devil's initial perfection and subsequent corruption due to pride and violence.

Role as the Tempter

The Devil's sin against God extends beyond his rebellion; he actively seeks to lead humanity astray. In Genesis 3, he appears as a serpent, tempting Eve to disobey God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act of deception introduces sin into the human experience, aligning with the Devil's role as the tempter and adversary.

In the New Testament, the Devil's role as the tempter is further emphasized during the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Matthew 4:1-11 recounts how Satan attempts to entice Jesus into sinning, offering Him worldly power in exchange for worship. Jesus resists, quoting Scripture to counter each temptation, demonstrating His obedience to God and rejection of the Devil's lies.

Accuser and Deceiver

The Devil is also depicted as the accuser and deceiver. In the book of Job, he appears before God, challenging the integrity of Job's faith, suggesting that Job's righteousness is solely due to God's protection and blessings (Job 1:6-12). This role as the accuser is echoed in Revelation 12:10, where Satan is described as "the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them day and night before our God."

Moreover, the Devil is characterized as a deceiver, leading people away from the truth. In John 8:44, Jesus refers to him as "a liar and the father of lies," highlighting his nature as a deceiver who distorts God's truth to ensnare humanity.

Ultimate Defeat

Despite his rebellion and ongoing opposition, the Devil's defeat is assured in the biblical narrative. Revelation 20:10 prophesies his ultimate fate: "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 final judgment underscores the certainty of God's victory over evil and the restoration of His perfect order.

The Devil's sin against God is a foundational element of Christian theology, illustrating the origin of evil and the ongoing spiritual conflict. His rebellion, role as tempter, accuser, and deceiver, and eventual defeat are key themes that underscore the necessity of faithfulness to God and the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Peter 2:4
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved to judgment;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 3:8
He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Devil is Well Practised in Falsehood, by which Adam Having ...
... Heresies: Book V Chapter XXIII."The devil is well ... which Adam having been led astray,
sinned on the ... indeed been already accustomed to lie against God, for the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiii the devil is well.htm

He Proves against Trypho that the Wicked Angels have Revolted from ...
... Chapter LXXIX."He proves against Trypho that the wicked angels ... add sins to sins;
who have sinned [2250] in ... you yourself have related, that the devil stood on ...
/.../chapter lxxix he proves against trypho.htm

Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews
... Church be granted unto him who has sinned against God (ie, the ... That the kingdom of
God is not in the wisdom ... That the devil has no power against man unless God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/

Blessed are they that Mourn
... The devil sinned though constituted in innocence, I indeed when restored ... And thus
both of us went against God, the one by not seeking to know himself, I indeed ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

Man's Ruin and God's Remedy
... Thou hast sinned with many aggravations. ... In the black hand of the devil still! ... This
is no mean sin"to strive against the striving Spirit, and to resist the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/mans ruin and gods remedy.htm

"Because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God, for it is not ...
... a confession of the truth, than the devil hath reason ... lxxviii.17, 18, "They sinned
yet more, by provoking ... verse 19, "Yea, they spake against God." Wherein you ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xx because the carnal.htm

Another Cavil Met, IE , the Devil who Instigated Man to Sin ...
The Five Books Against Marcion. ... prince of Tyre it is said in reference to the devil:
"Moreover, the ... thou hast filled thy storehouses, and thou hast sinned," etc ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter x another cavil met i e.htm

A Treatise against the Heretic Novatian by an Anonymous Bishop.
... wounds of the lapsed who have fallen, stripped bare by the devil, ought to ... by the
light of the Gospel, may say, "Against Thee only have I sinned, and done ...
/.../a treatise against the heretic.htm

Whether the Devil Desired to be as God?
... is said, in the person of the devil (Is.14 ... I answer that, Without doubt the angel
sinned by seeking ... supposing it were possible, it would be against the natural ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the devil desired to.htm

Those Persons who do not Believe in God, but who are Disobedient ...
... up children, but they have rebelled against Me." [4438 ... no doubt, since they had
transgressed and sinned in the ... termed those "angels of the devil," and "children ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xli those persons who do.htm