Ten Big Lies About Satan Part 2

Introduction

1. Satan doesn’t exist.

2. Satan doesn’t exist in my life.

3. Satan and God are equals.

4. Satan is responsible for many, most or all the bad things in life.

5. Satan is the ruler of hell for all eternity and will torment those sent there.

6. Satan is omnipresent

Psalm 139:7-8, Matthew 4:11; 12:26

Omnipresent means to be everywhere at the same time. This is one of God’s unique qualities. Psalm 139:7–8 says,

Psalm 139:7–8 ESV

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

The implications of this include God watching us, watching over us, and watching out for us.

Satan is a created being (Ezekiel 28:15) and as such can only be in one location at a time. After Satan tempted Jesus, the Scriptures tell us in Matthew 4:11,

Matthew 4:11 ESV

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

The book of Revelation tells us that a day will come when Satan is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). This would not be possible if Satan were omnipresent.

Some think Satan is omnipresent because his attacks are so frequent and widespread. Whether or not all these perceived attacks are satanic attacks is a question we will save for another time. If we assume they are satanic attacks the reason why they appear so numerous is because Satan has a large number of demons who follow him.

Revelation 12:4 tells us that the Dragon, a reference to Satan, “swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth.” Spirit beings, good and bad are referred to in the Bible as the stars of heaven and hosts of heaven. If this verse is talking about spirit beings, then as many as one third of all spirit beings are in Satan’s service.

There are passages that describe these different spirit beings with terms used for positions of authority, suggesting that there are significant numbers of evil spirits to order around (Ephesians 6:12).

Technically, the term Satan can refer either to the individual or to any of his followers. Jesus uses the term Satan both ways in Matthew 12 in responding to the Pharisees who accused him of casting demons out of people by the power of Beelzebul. Jesus said to them,

Matthew 12:26 ESV

26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

In a general sense, the word Satan can refer to the individual or to any of his followers who act in concert with him so that it is as if he were acting when they act.

One indication that there are a vast number of evil spirits is found in the story of Jesus casting demons out of the man in Mark 5:9. When Jesus asked the demon his name, he replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” A Roman legion consisted of 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers. Jesus sent the demons into a herd of pigs, and there were about 2000 in the herd that drowned in the sea (Mark 5: 13).

The primary implication of believing this lie is fearing that Satan is always ready to attack. Satan doesn’t attack us every day. When he does, it is called the evil day (Ephesians 6:13). When we defeat Satan he flees from us (James 4:7).

It is also interesting that in the book of Revelation we are told that Satan will be unable to find “the woman who fled into the wilderness,” a reference to believing Israel (Revelation 12:5-6).

Diagnostic question: Do you think Satan attacked you every day? Are you afraid of Satan attacking you every day?

7. Satan can read our minds.

1 Samuel 1:12–13; Psalm 139:1–4; Ephesians 6:17

This is another one of God’s attributes, related to omniscience. God knows all things real and possible. The scriptures tell us in several places God knows what we are thinking. An encouraging example of this is in the story of Hannah praying for a son when she was at the tabernacle.

1 Samuel 1:12–13 ESV

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman.

Hannah was praying silently. Eli couldn’t hear, but God heard and granted her request. God hears us when we pray silently.

God knows our thoughts, even when we aren’t praying (Jer. 17:10; 1 Cor. 3:20, 1 John 3:20) Psalm 139:1–4 says,

Psalm 139:1–4 ESV

1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

It is an argument from silence to suggest that Satan can read our minds. There is no verse in the Scriptures that says he or his followers can do that. We see one indication that he cannot read our minds in the defense God gave us to defeat him. One of the pieces of the armor is the rhema, which is the spoken word of God. Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)

Ephesians 6:17 ESV

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

There are two words in Greek that are translated “word” in our English Bibles. We are all familiar with the Greek word logos, but that isn’t the word used in Ephesians 6:17. Here the Greek word is Rhema. The formal definition is,

ῥῆμα, τος n: a minimal unit of discourse, often a single word—‘word, saying.’ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ πρὸς οὐδὲ ἓν ῥῆμα ‘he refused to answer him a single word’ Mt 27:14. In place of a rendering such as ‘refused to answer a single word,’ it may be more idiomatic to say ‘said nothing’ or ‘refused to speak.’ [[1] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 389). New York: United Bible Societies.]

When Jesus was questioned by Pilate, he gave no answer, that is he did not speak a word.

It makes sense that we are told to say scripture out loud when resisting Satan because he can't read our mind.

One reason people think Satan and his followers can read our minds is the timing of satanic attacks. At times, they seem to occur at the exact moment when we are thinking about a problem or issue in our life. Satan doesn’t have to read our minds to be able to read us. My wife knows that something is bothering me by observation. She knows me well enough and can tell when I am not my usual, cheerful, happy self.

Peter says Satan roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Satan and his followers continually look for opportunities. A demon can see the shock on your face when you open a bill you didn’t expect to receive. Evil spirits can watch and listen to us anytime. If you are in an argument with someone, they know it and know you are upset and susceptible to attack at that moment.

I once experienced a satanic attack while I was reading a letter that was critical of me. The attacking demon didn’t have to read my mind. All he had to do was read the letter at the same time I was and follow my eyes reading down the page. The demon knew I bread the critical words and use them as an opportunity to attack.

This lie is commonly believed and often gives people great emotional pain. Perhaps people have a sense of violation in thinking that Satan knows what we are thinking. There is a flip side to this that is interesting to consider. It really doesn’t matter if Satan can read your mind or not. I want you to think right now about every satanic attack you have ever experienced. This may be hard because most people are not able to recognize satanic attacks. If you can think about a specific attack, how bad was it? Or if you can’t identify any specific satanic attacks in your life, then I guess they weren’t terrifying, were they?

I don’t believe that Satan can read our minds, but even if he could, it doesn’t matter. We have the ability to resist him every time he attacks and when we do that, the attack will immediately end and he will flee.

Diagnostic question: Are you afraid of Satan being able to read your mind? Are you more concerned about Satan reading your mind or God reading your mind?

8. Satan controls our flesh.

1 John 2:15–17; Galatians 5:19–21; Ephesians 2:1-3

The Bible tells us that we have three enemies, the flesh, the world, and Satan. The New Testament was originally written in Greek and there are different words for the flesh, the world, and Satan. They are not synonyms, and when we read one, we should not substitute the other. I have read commentaries and devotionals that blur the distinctions between these three enemies.

We believe the Bible is inspired and that every word of our Bibles was chosen by God. The theological phrase we used to describe this is verbal, plenary inspiration. That simply means that each word is equally important. If a passage is talking about the flesh, it isn’t talking about Satan. There is no passage in the Bible that says Satan controls the flesh. It is an argument from silence to say that he does and it is a reflection of a belief that Satan has more power than the Bible says he has.

I have had many people tell me they believe Satan causes their flesh to tempt them. Here is an example from website https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/spiritual-warfare-lesson-2-the-strategies-of-satan-11580094.html

Lust: Satan's Strategy to Open the Door to Sin

1 John 2:16 tells us that Satan uses these three ways to tempt us: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life

Pride opens the door for temptation and Satan uses lust as part of the strategy to lead us into temptation. Lust is an overwhelming desire or craving; thus, lust gives Satan a foothold to tempt our flesh. We are born as a natural man, with specifics needs to be met. The natural man has three major components: the body, the soul and the spirit. The body “needs” to be touched, fed, to be free from pain, to rest, and to work (or exercise). The soul is made up of our mind, emotions and will. The soul has needs that are controlled by what we think, how we feel and what we want. These things motivate us and/or affect the decisions we make on a daily basis. That’s why lust is such an effective tool of the enemy.

The author of this article gives Satan credit where credit is not due. Here is what 1 John 2:15-17 says,

1 John 2:15–17 ESV

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Satan is not mentioned in these verses. These particular evil desires are from the world. It is an assumption not declared in the text here or anywhere that Satan controls our flesh. The works produced by the flesh are listed in Galatians 5:19-21.

Galatians 5:19–21 ESV

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Paul distinguishes our three spiritual enemies in Ephesians 2:1-3. Our enemies are different from each other, how they attack us is different and how we defend ourselves against each one is different. Satan controls the world, but not our flesh.

As a side note, the attacks of the flesh, the world, and Satan overlap in some areas. I’m not suggesting that there is a clear demarcation between what they can do to us. I am emphatically stating that their attacks are distinct and separate. Let us not give Satan credit for something the Bible does not credit him. All this author does exalts Satan’s authority beyond what the Bible tells us.

Diagnostic Question: Do you think Satan is actively giving you evil desires every day and daily tempting you in the areas the Bible says are from the flesh?

9. Satan trembles at the name of Jesus or when Christians pray or read the Bible.

Isaiah 14:12–13, James 2:19

There is a famous quote by William Cowper, an English poet and hymn writer who lived in the 18th century. He wrote a hymn entitled, “What Various Hindrances We Meet.” One section of that hymn says this,

“When we don’t pray, we quit the fight. Prayer keeps the Christian’s armor bright. And Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his knees.”

The hymn “When Morning Gilds the Skies” has this line:

“The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear: May Jesus Christ be praised.”

What a wonderful sentiment! The only problem is it just isn’t true. Satan was so arrogant that he was not afraid of rebelling against God and attempting to place his throne above God’s.

Isaiah 14:12–13 ESV

12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north;

Satan was on successful and cast out of heaven. He didn’t learn his lesson and realized he is unable to defeat God. When Jesus began his earthly ministry, Satan was not in the least bit afraid of trying to get Jesus to worship him. In his attack on Jesus he said to him, “Since you are the son of God,” Matthew 4:3. In our English Bibles it says, “if you are the son of God,” and some people take that to assume Satan was questioning whether or not Jesus is indeed God. This phrase in Greek is called a first-class condition, and properly should be translated “since” not “if.” Satan knew who Jesus was and was not in the least bit afraid to tempt him to do Satan’s will. If Satan isn’t afraid of Jesus, who by the way had spent the previous 40 days praying and fasting, why would we think he would tremble when we pray.

Other versions of this lie are that Satan trembles at the name of Jesus or when Christians read their Bible. There is no indication that Satan trembles at anything. As to Satan trembling when we read the Bible, remember that in his attack on Jesus he quoted Scripture. I have experience satanic attacks while in church.

The danger with believing this lie is that we will not use the proper defense that God has given to us to defeat Satan. Sadly, there are many Christians who have been defeated by Satan when all they have done is say the name of Jesus or pray or read their Bible. All of those are of value, but are not the defense God has given to us.

The motivation for this is the genuine reverence we have for God and his power. That’s a good thing, but it isn’t a good thing when we view that like a lucky charm that will solve our problem.

By the way, there is one thing in the Bible that may cause Satan to tremble. Do you know what it is?

James 2:19 ESV

19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Demons tremble at the thought that the Father, Son and Spirit are One.

Diagnostic question: Do you think Satan trembles when you pray? Do you think he is afraid of anything?

10. Satan will flee if we rebuke him or bind him and cast him in the pit.

James 4:7, Matthew 17:18; Mark 1:25; 9:25; Luke 4:35

When I teach on spiritual warfare, I have an exercise where we have people list how to defeat Satan. The number one answer that people give is to pray. After that there are several things that people say that show up on every list at every event. Those items include defeating Satan by rebuking him, finding him, and the casting him into the pit.

One of the challenges that we have in understanding Scripture is to make the distinction between what Scripture describes and what it prescribes. There are many things that the Bible describes that are not things we should do. We need to do the things the Bible commands us or prescribes for us to do.

Rebuking Satan is perhaps the most common approach people take to trying to defeat Satan. There are several passages where we read that Jesus rebuked demons (Matthew 17:18; Mark 1:25; 9:25; Luke 4:35). We also read in the book of Jude that Michael the Archangel said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you.” Jude.

The problem that we have in assuming this is how we are to deal with satanic attacks is that these are descriptions not prescriptions. If you were to say to me, “that’s how Jesus did it, so that’s how I’m going to do it.” My response to you would be that Jesus also walked on water and fed 5000 people with five loaves and two fish. Are you also going to do that?

When we examine the Scriptures we see that we are told to resist Satan and he will flee from us (James 4:7). There is no verse that says rebuke Satan and he will flee from you. Nor is there verse that says to bind him and cast him in the pit and he will flee from you. I take a rather pragmatic approach to this. I want Satan to flee. If you are under an attack, do you want the attack to end and Satan to flee? If so, I would suggest you resist him. If you successfully resist him, he will flee. After that if you want to rebuke him or bind him or cast him in the pit, have added.

I am not suggesting that rebuking or binding demons is never something we would do. In all of the cases where there is rebuking and binding, it involves demonization. When we are dealing with demonization, that is when a demon controls a person, sometimes with their permission and sometimes against, rebuking, binding and casting out is appropriate. That is a completely separate issue from the kinds of attacks that the average Christian faces from Satan.

By the way, we read in the book of Revelation that Satan will be cast into the abyss for 1000 years at some point in the future. If you were to successfully send Satan to the pit, which is what the Bible means by abyss, he would immediately leave as it is not yet time for him to stay there.

The reason why people believe this lie is because it is so frequently repeated. Countless pastors and leaders throughout the world rebuke, bind, and cast out Satan every day. Uninformed believers hear this and learn by example, unfortunately a bad example.

I wish that defeating Satan were this simple, but it’s not. It behooves us to learn what the Scriptures say so that we resist Satan the way God teaches us to do this.

Diagnostic question: Do you ever rebuke, bind or cast Satan out? What makes you think it works?