Inspiring Scriptures About Satan

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” ~ James 4:7

The Authorized King James Bible (AKJB) contains numerous passages that reference Satan, the devil, or the adversary, describing his nature, actions, and influence. Below significant scriptures that address Satan, organized by theme for clarity and relevance. These passages are drawn from both the Old and New Testaments, focusing on Satan’s role, characteristics, and ultimate defeat.

Satan’s Identity and Nature

Isaiah 14:12-15 – “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Significance: Often interpreted as describing Satan’s fall, this passage underscores his origin as a high-ranking angelic being whose pride and ambition led to rebellion against God, establishing the root of his opposition and subsequent judgment.

Ezekiel 28:14-17 – “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God… Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty…”
Significance: Traditionally applied to Satan, this highlights his original perfection and privileged position before his fall due to pride, emphasizing the destructive consequences of self-exaltation.

John 8:44 – “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth…”
Significance: Jesus identifies Satan as the source of lies and murder, revealing his fundamental opposition to truth and life, and his influence over those who reject God’s truth.

2 Corinthians 11:14 – “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”
Significance: This warns of Satan’s ability to disguise his malevolent intentions as truth or goodness, calling for discernment to avoid false teachings or appearances.

Revelation 12:9 – “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world…”
Significance: Connecting Satan’s titles (dragon, serpent, Devil), this emphasizes his global deception and expulsion from heaven, setting the stage for his ongoing conflict with God and humanity.

Satan’s Role as Tempter and Accuser

Genesis 3:1 – “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said…”
Significance: Introducing Satan as the serpent, this shows his subtle questioning of God’s word, initiating humanity’s fall and highlighting his tactic of sowing doubt.

Genesis 3:4-5 – “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof…”
Significance: Satan’s lie to Eve reveals his strategy of contradicting God’s truth to entice disobedience, illustrating the origin of sin and its consequences.

Job 1:6-7 – “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.”
Significance: Showing Satan’s access to God’s presence as an accuser, this highlights his role as an adversary challenging the faithfulness of God’s servants.

Job 1:9-11 – “Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?… Put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath…”
Significance: Satan’s accusation against Job’s motives reveals his strategy to test believers’ faith by suggesting it is conditional, underscoring God’s sovereignty in permitting trials.

Zechariah 3:1 – “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.”
Significance: Satan’s role as an accuser opposing the restoration of Israel’s priesthood emphasizes God’s power to rebuke him and defend His chosen.

Matthew 4:1 – “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”
Significance: Satan’s direct challenge to Jesus highlights the spiritual battle between God’s kingdom and Satan’s opposition, with Jesus’ victory foreshadowing Satan’s defeat.

Matthew 4:3 – “And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.”
Significance: Satan’s temptation of Jesus exploits physical needs and questions divine identity, with Jesus’ resistance demonstrating the power of God’s word.

Luke 4:2 – “Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing…”
Significance: Emphasizing the intensity of Satan’s temptation of Jesus, this underscores Christ’s human vulnerability and divine strength in overcoming Satan’s schemes.

1 Chronicles 21:1 – “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.”
Significance: Satan’s influence in inciting David’s census shows his ability to exploit human pride, highlighting the need for vigilance against subtle temptations.

1 Thessalonians 3:5 – “Lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.”
Significance: Paul’s concern about Satan’s temptation of believers underscores the ongoing spiritual battle for perseverance, emphasizing steadfastness.

Satan’s Influence and Power

Luke 13:16 – “And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed…”
Significance: Revealing Satan’s ability to cause affliction, Jesus’ healing demonstrates His authority to break Satan’s hold, affirming divine compassion and power.

Acts 26:18 – “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God…”
Significance: Paul’s mission highlights Satan’s dominion over unbelievers and God’s redemptive power to deliver them, emphasizing the gospel’s transformative impact.

2 Corinthians 4:4 – “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not…”
Significance: Satan’s title as “god of this world” underscores his temporary influence over unbelievers, calling for prayer and proclamation to overcome deception.

Ephesians 2:2 – “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air…”
Significance: Identifying Satan as the “prince of the power of the air,” this contrasts the believer’s former state with their new life in Christ.

1 John 5:19 – “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
Significance: Contrasting believers’ security in God with the world’s subjection to Satan’s influence, this highlights the distinction between God’s kingdom and the world.

Revelation 2:10 – “Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried…”
Significance: Satan’s role in persecution tests believers’ faith, but God’s purpose in trials refines and strengthens, affirming His sovereignty.

2 Timothy 2:26 – “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
Significance: Warning of Satan’s ability to ensnare through sin, this offers hope of deliverance through repentance and God’s grace.

John 12:31 – “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.”
Significance: Jesus’ crucifixion marks Satan’s defeat, signaling the end of his dominion and the establishment of God’s redemptive victory.

Luke 22:31 – “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.”
Significance: Satan’s desire to test Peter reveals his intent to destabilize believers, but Jesus’ intercession ensures protection and restoration.

Acts 5:3 – “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost…”
Significance: Satan’s influence in Ananias’ deception shows his ability to exploit greed and hypocrisy, warning believers to guard their hearts.

Satan’s Opposition to God’s People

1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Significance: Portraying Satan as a relentless predator, this urges believers to remain vigilant and spiritually alert to resist his attacks.

Ephesians 6:11 – “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Significance: Calling believers to spiritual warfare, this equips them with God’s armor to counter Satan’s cunning strategies, emphasizing preparation.

Ephesians 6:16 – “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Significance: Highlighting faith as a critical defense against Satan’s attacks, symbolized as fiery darts, this encourages trust in God’s protection.

2 Corinthians 2:11 – “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
Significance: Awareness of Satan’s tactics prevents exploitation of vulnerabilities, such as unforgiveness, urging discernment and wisdom.

Revelation 2:13 – “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is…”
Significance: Acknowledging intense spiritual opposition in hostile environments, this affirms Christ’s awareness and reward for faithfulness.

Revelation 2:24 – “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan…”
Significance: Warning against false teachings influenced by Satan, this urges believers to reject deceptive doctrines and hold to truth.

1 Timothy 5:15 – “For some are already turned aside after Satan.”
Significance: Highlighting the danger of straying into Satan’s influence through disobedience, this emphasizes steadfast commitment to God.

Matthew 16:23 – “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me…”
Significance: Jesus’ rebuke of Peter shows how Satan can influence well-meaning believers to oppose God’s plan, underscoring alignment with divine will.

Mark 8:33 – “But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan…”
Significance: Paralleling Matthew 16:23, this reinforces Satan’s subtle influence through human reasoning, calling for discernment.

Luke 10:18 – “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”
Significance: Jesus’ vision of Satan’s fall signifies his defeat and the authority given to believers over demonic powers, affirming God’s kingdom.

Satan’s Defeat and Judgment

Revelation 20:2 – “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.”
Significance: Depicting Satan’s temporary binding, this symbolizes God’s control over his activities and the limitation of his power.

Revelation 20:7-8 – “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations…”
Significance: Satan’s brief release highlights his persistent deception but sets the stage for his final defeat, affirming God’s plan.

Revelation 20:10 – “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone…”
Significance: Marking Satan’s final judgment, this ensures his eternal punishment and the ultimate victory of God’s justice.

John 16:11 – “Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”
Significance: Jesus declares Satan’s judgment through His redemptive work, assuring believers of the enemy’s defeat.

Colossians 2:15 – “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
Significance: Christ’s cross publicly disarmed Satan and demonic powers, demonstrating His victory and authority.

Hebrews 2:14 – “That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.”
Significance: Jesus’ death nullified Satan’s power over death, offering believers freedom from fear and eternal life.

1 John 3:8 – “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
Significance: Affirming Jesus’ mission to dismantle Satan’s works, this highlights the redemptive purpose of Christ’s incarnation.

James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Significance: Empowering believers to overcome Satan through submission to God and active resistance, this promises his retreat.

Romans 16:20 – “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly…”
Significance: Assuring believers of God’s imminent victory over Satan, this encourages perseverance with hope.

Revelation 12:10 – “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation… for the accuser of our brethren is cast down…”
Significance: Satan’s expulsion as the accuser signifies the victory of God’s salvation, affirming believers’ security.

Additional References to Satan’s Activity

Matthew 12:26 – “And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?”
Significance: Jesus refutes accusations by highlighting the illogicality of Satan opposing himself, affirming His divine authority.

Mark 3:23 – “And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?”
Significance: Paralleling Matthew 12:26, this reinforces Jesus’ authority and the unity of Satan’s kingdom against God’s power.

Luke 11:18 – “If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand?…”
Significance: Reiterating the argument against Satan’s self-destruction, this emphasizes Jesus’ superior power to expel demons.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 – “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.”
Significance: Warning of Satan’s deceptive miracles through the antichrist, this urges discernment in the last days.

Revelation 13:4 – “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast…”
Significance: Depicting Satan’s empowerment of the beast, this illustrates his influence in end-times deception, subordinate to God’s judgment.

Conclusion

Satan as a formidable yet defeated adversary whose pride, deception, and opposition to God are overcome through Christ’s redemptive work. Each passage’s significance contributes to understanding Satan’s character, tactics, and limitations, while affirming God’s sovereignty, Jesus’ victory, and the believer’s empowerment to resist evil. These verses encourage vigilance, faith, and reliance on God’s strength, assuring Satan’s ultimate judgment and the triumph of God’s kingdom.