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Lesson 3 - The Father of Lies
No one need make up stories about how and where sin originated. We can go straight to the Bible and discover stunning insights into the mystery of the inherently sinful nature of humankind, which is so contrary to the character of our Creator God of love (Genesis 1:26). The cartoonish images of Satan as a hideous, demon-looking, red creature roasting sinners underground in hell's fires are, without a doubt, a false image of Satan. The Bible provides a completely different portrayal of the Satan with whom we are contending.
Further Reading: John 8:44, 12:31 | 1 Peter 5:8 | Revelation 12:9
Ezekiel 28:12-19 | Isaiah 14:12-14 | Revelation 12:7-9 | Genesis 3:1-7
Satan didn't start out evil. In fact, originally he was a covering cherub (an anointed angel at God's right hand) in heaven. His name was Lucifer or light bearer (Isaiah 14:12). Created with inherent gifts and given special honors, just like Adam and Eve, he chose to allow the evils of pride and covetousness to consume his spirit - just like Adam and Eve. The destructive potential of evil has not changed to this day.
Our sinful nature renders human-kind children of Satan (John 8:44). Our only hope is in aligning our lives with God's Word, beginning with faith in and accepting Jesus' freely offered grace (2 Timothy 2:8-10). The forgiving, restoring power of God comes with being spiritually born again by the baptism of water and the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-5).
Further Reading: 1 John 3:4,5,8 | Romans 3:23 | Romans 5:17-19 | James 1:14, 4:17
Jeremiah 17:9,10 | Galatians 5:19-24 | Ecclesiastes 9:3 | Matthew 15:19 | James 1:13-17
Although Satan won over Adam and Eve and claims this world, that includes you and me, as his own (John 14:30); he flees in James 4:7, when God's people pray. John 8:44 points to Satan as a murderer from the beginning and father of all lies. Not only that, 2 Corinthians 11:14 reminds us that Satan is also a master of disguises who can transform himself into an angel of light capable of performing miracles (Revelation 16:14).
One-third of heaven's angels who became followers of Satan were cast to earth with him. They, too, have enormous powers to deceive us, "transformed as the ministers of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 11:15). The potential for evil, of anyone with an already sinful nature defiant of the Spirit of God, is scary. It is by faith in God and the Word of God alone that we are not deceived (Mark 13:22; Luke 21:8; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 6:12-18).
At the final return of Christ, the reign of Satan, along with all those who have not accepted the redemptive new birth made possible by Jesus Christ, will come to a decisive end in the terminating flames of hell, totally consumed, and forever separated with the Life-giver – God.
Further reading: John 14:23,24; 17:3 | 2 Peter 1:3,4 | Psalm 119:11 | John 17:3 | 2 Peter 1:2
Only by accepting the merits of Christ's death can we become dead to the father of lies (Romans 6:10,11). Through Christ alone, we become freed children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:15,16). All must choose their eternal father. What is your choice?
Dear God,
I truly thank You for Your grace and mercy toward me and especially Your enormous love that will not let me go. I surrender my heart to You right now and ask Your forgiveness for all my sins. Come into my heart by Your Holy Spirit and give me victory over every evil influence and lie of Satan. I claim heaven as my home and look forward to Your soon return. Amen.
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