1. Satan (Job 1:7), accuser, slanderer, seeking to accuse.

2. Satan (1 Chronicles 21:1), seducer, attack.

3. Satan (Zechariah 3:1-2), an opponent, the arch-enemy of good, adversary.

4. Devil (Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:37), violence, ravage, destruction, desolation, oppression,robbery, spoil, wasting, to devastate, waste.

5. Devil (Leviticus 17:7), fear, to be horribly afraid, hurl as a storm, come like a whirlwind, to be tempestuous.

6. Devil (Leviticus 17:7), he-goat, shaggy, hairy rough. The goat likeness or symbol is frequently used in the occult. By utilizing these forms or characteristics of "Devil" (see #4, #5, #6, above), Satan may be able to frighten or intimidate a person into submission to him.

7. Serpent (Psalm 58:3-5), to hiss, to whisper a (magic) spell, prognosticate (omen, predict), divine (to call forth spirits), enchanter, use enchantment, use an incantation, augury (divination, a sign, or omen). See Deuteronomy 18:10-13; Revelation 21:8.

8. Serpent, also jackal (or other hideous animal). Again, fear and intimidation are employed.

9. Serpent (Genesis 3:1), subtle, crafty, cunning.

10. Serpent (Isaiah 14:29; 30:6), to be on fire, burn, burn up, utterly.

11. Lucifer, son of the morning, beautiful, angel of light, fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12; Ezekiel 28:11-17), By utilizing this characteristic, Satan may attract and deceive people into submission to him.

12. Belial (Deuteronomy 13:13), failure, nothing or destruction, corruption, without profit, worthlessness, wickedness, evil, ungodly, to fail, decay, waste.

13. Counsellor (Nahum 1:11), same in Hebrew as Belial, above.

14. Abaddon (Revelation 9:11), destruction, perish, wretched, lose oneself, not escape, wander away, fail, lose, be undone, utterly be void of, have no way to flee.

GREEK (New Testament)

15. Satan, the adversary a) of God and Christ (Matthew 4:1), b)of God's people (Luke 22:31; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Ephesians 6:12), c)of mankind (Acts 26:17-18; 1 Peter 5:8).

16. Satan, father of lies (John 8:44), prince of lies (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10), deceiver (2 Corinthians 11:14)

17. Satan (Revelation 12:10), accuser.

18. Devil, a traducer, one who speaks falsely or maliciously of, slanderer, false accuser (Luke 4:1-13), tempter, sets snares (1 Timothy 3:7).

19. Serpent (2 Corinthians 11:3), a snake, as a type of sly, cunning and artful, malicious person, especially Satan.

20. Prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), prince of this world (John 12:31), ruler of this world (Ephesians 6:12), god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), prince of the devils (Matthew 12:24), unbelievers are under the power of Satan (Acts 26:18). These titles declare the powerful controlling influence which Satan maintains in this earth.

21. Wicked One (Matthew 13:19, 38), murderer (John 8:44), hurtful, evil calamitous, guilt, derelict, vicious, facinarous, mischief, malice, bad harm lewd, plots iniquity, rotten, worthless, corrupt, degenerate, depraved.

22. Enemy (Matthew 13:39), adversary, foe, enmity, opposition.

23. Beelzebub, the prince of devils (Matthew 12:24-28), dung god; taken from Hebrew Baalzebub. Baal was a pagan god.

24. Belial (2 Corinthians 6:15), same as Hebrew Belial.

25. Apollyon (Revelation 9:11), destroy, die, lose, mar, perish, destruction, ruin, death, punishment; from the pagan deity (i.e. the sun god).

Observations:

It may be obvious that Satan cannot be trusted. In the enclosed meanings of his names, he is exposed as being a Slanderer (see #1, Satan, Hebrew meaning), the father of lies, and the prince of lies (see #16, Satan, Greek meaning). He is a traducer and false accuser (see #18, Devil, Greek meaning. If he uses or makes reference to the truth at all, we can expect that it will be a perversion of the truth. Please locate Genesis 3:1-4 and observe his unreliable usage of the truth in his encounter with Eve in the Garden.

It is interesting to observe the origin and source of clairvoyance (psychics, mediums, etc.) and other related fields, eg. the occult. (See #7, Serpent, Hebrew meaning, and #6, Devil, Hebrew meaning).

Satan is the Super Salesman of Sin. He is slick, sly, and seductive. He is interesting, intriguing, and intimidating. He is persistent, high pressure, and persuasive (see #9, Serpent Hebrew meaning, and #19, Serpent, Greek meaning). We cannot argue logic with, or entertain him for any length of time. Just as Eve experienced in the Garden (Genesis 3:1-6), the longer we entertain him in conversation, the greater his opportunity to cunningly deceive us. Jesus, in His encounter with Satan (Matthew 4:1-11) demonstrated an effective approach by quickly firing Scriptures at him until he retreated. Better still, avoid or evade him; get out of there fast! (See 2 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Peter 3:11; 2 John 1:11).

Satan tries to gain advantage through cunning and beauty (see #9, Serpent, Hebrew meaning; #11, Lucifer, Hebrew meaning; and #19, Serpent, Greek meaning). By utilizing this characteristic, Satan may attract and deceive people into submission.

Satan also utilizes fear and intimidation (see #6, Devil, Hebrew meaning #8, Serpent, Hebrew meaning; and #20, Prince of Power of the Air, Greek meaning). Through the effective utilization of a fearful and/or intimidating image, perhaps he can subdue the lost and the saved. A good many Christians will not want to go up against this Goliath of an opponent, or this hideous demon form hell. His unleashing of the powers of hell should prove to be highly impressive and convincing. It would appear that he is much more advantaged, and the Christian so much more disadvantaged. It would appear that he is the mighty conqueror rather than the defeated foe that he is.

Satan and his forces of evil, including his army of demons, are our greatest opposition. Spirit beings have an obvious advantage over flesh and blood mortals (See Ephesians 6:12). This is why we are instructed to "put on the whole armor of God"(Ephesians 6:10-11). We fight in His power. Satan, therefore is always looking for an opportunity to divert us, to deceive us, to weaken us, to neutralize us, to destroy our witness. He's just being true to his names, right?

From the enclosed meanings of Satan's names, quite an exhaustive list of his strategies and characteristics may be compiled. Consider for yourself some of the countless possibilities. Please be aware, however, that Satan is not limited to any exhaustive list which any mortal man nay compile. Do not be deceived into thinking that by using this or any other list of strategies and characteristics, you will be able to counter his ever move. The Scriptures purposely instruct us to be (ever) alert and (ever) watchful (1 Peter 5:8).

Although several of Satan's strategies/goals are noted in these Brief Bible Notes, his ultimate goal for lost man includes preventing his salvation. These Brief Bible Notes will expose only a few of Satan's many methods and maneuvers toward realizing these goals.

He is not particular. To gain an advantage, he will use fear and intimidation or he will use beauty and cunning. He will approach and tempt us in the wrong places (parties, concerts, etc.). And he will approach and tempt us in the right places (church, camp, mission trips, retreats, etc.) See 1 Peter 5:8, and Job 1:7.

What time we are watching to the left, he will attack from the right. What time we are watching to the right, he will attack from the left. And what time we are watching to the right and to the left, he will attack from below. (See Psalm 18:4-6). The best thing for us to do is to keep our eyes straight ahead (Hebrews 12:2), ever pressing toward God's mark (Philippians 3:13-14; Romans 13:14; Hebrew 12:1-2). We look and trudge straight ahead because that sound we hear behind us is Satan, Breathing down our back. (An adaptation of the "Tortoise and Hare Theory", from Winning Through Intimidation, (c)1974 Robert J. Ringer, Fawcett Crest Books.)

But, and catch this, as powerful and intimidating as he is, Satan is a defeated foe!! Consider the following references (Time and space do not allow me to print out the verse, but please look up all references, as they will help you gain a position of strength and victory.) John 12:31; 1 John 3:8; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10; Isaiah 14:12-15; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; Job 18:5; Psalm 37:20; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6.Even Satan's own names seal his doom. (See #12, Belial, Hebrew meaning; #14, Abaddon Hebrew meaning; #13, Wicked Counselor, Hebrew meaning; #25, Apollyn, Greek meaning; #4, Devil, Hebrew meaning; #10, Serpent, Hebrew meaning.)

Because of the power of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers can claim a position of victory! Because Christ has all power (Matthew 28:18), and believers have invited Him into their heart and life (Revelation 3:20), we have access to His power (John 1:12; Acts 1:8).

Satan may win a few battles (fewer, I hope, as a result of these Scriptures), but we have won the war! Consider these references (Here again, I pray you will invest the time to consult these Scriptures. Couple them with those Scriptures above for the maximum benefit.): Psalm 18:4-6; Luke 10:19-20; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Galatians 1:14; Colossians 1:12-13; Ephesians 6:10-11; James 4:7; 1 John 4:4; Revelation 12:10-11.

Conclusions

James 4:7, "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Revelation 12:11, "And they (Christians-my note) overcame him (Satan-my note) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death."

So victory over Satan is found in, 1) Calvary. The blood of Jesus has purchased our victory. We must submit/yield to His control. 2) Confession. We must recognize Satan for who he is - the enemy, See 1 Peter 5:8, and confess whose we are - the sons of God, See John 1:12. We give testimony to all, including Satan. We use the Scriptures to establish our position of victory, as Christ did when He was tempted by Satan (See Matthew 4:1-11). 3) Commitment. If we love Jesus more than this earthly life and follow the other two steps presented here, tell me, what can Satan possibly do... but retreat and try later?

I pray that using these Scriptures to maintain a victorious defense will become a life-style. Following are some additional Scripture references, should you desire to pursue a more in depth understanding on this subject.

Additional References:

1) Sin and evil are not hid from God. (Proverbs 15:3; John 3:20)

2) Three areas of sin. Lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, and pride of life (1 John 2:16; Genesis 3:6; Matthew 4:1-11)

3) Light and darkness. (John 3:19-214) Our responsibilities. (James 4:7; Ephesians 4:27; 2 Corinthians 2:9-11; Psalm 34:14; Psalm 97:10; Matthew 6:13 pray; Ephesians 6:10-11; Romans 12:9,21; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 10:6; Galatians 5:16; James 1:13-15; Romans 6:12; Romans 13:14; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Peter 2:11)

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May God speak to your heart! Bob Conar