Character Traits of Satan in Reformed Theology
In Reformed theology, Satan is understood as a malignant spiritual being, originally an angel of light who rebelled against God [8]. The Hebrew term "satan" means "adversary," and this original sense is reflected in its use in the Old Testament and even in Jesus' address to Peter in Matthew 16:23 [1]. However, in many biblical contexts, it functions as a proper name or title for the devil [1].
Key characteristics of Satan include:
- Adversary and Tempter Satan's primary role is that of an adversary to God and humanity. He is depicted as the tempter who led the first parents into sin [8]. He seeks to gain advantage over believers, often through schemes and devices [6, 7].
- Blasphemer The beast, often associated with Satan's influence, is characterized by blaspheming God [3].
- Deceiver Satan is described as the "old serpent" who beguiled Eve [8]. He is known for his cunning and fraud, though he can also act with force and violence [4].
- Ruler of this World (Limited) While God remains in ultimate control, the New Testament describes Satan as having a limited rule over the present world order [5]. He can offer worldly kingdoms and authority, as seen in the temptation of Jesus [5].
- Source of Evil Spirits Satan is associated with other evil spirits or demons, who are described as spiritual beings at enmity with God and capable of afflicting humanity with disease and spiritual pollution [2]. These demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God and fear God's power [2].
- Wickedness and Malice Satan and the spirits associated with him are described as "more wicked than himself," indicating a profound level of malevolence [9]. They are intent on devising mischief and causing harm [4].
- Fear of God's Judgment Despite their rebellion, demons "believe" in God's power and "tremble" [2]. They anticipate future punishment and judgment [2].
Satan's influence is not absolute; God remains in control, even when the beast makes war against God's people and rules the world for a limited time [3]. The understanding of Satan's character highlights the spiritual battle faced by believers and the need for vigilance against his schemes [6, 7].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Satan — The word itself, the Hebrew satan, is simply an "adversary," and is so used in (1 Samuel 29:4; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 6:4; 11:14,23,25; Numbers 22:22,33; Psalms 109:6) This original sense is still found in our Lord's application of the name to St. Peter in (Matthew 16:23) It is used as a proper name or title only four times in the Old Testament, vis. (with the article) in (Job 1:6; 12; 2:1; Zechariah 2:1) and without the article in (1 Chronicles 21:1) It is with the scriptural revelation on the subject that we are here concerned; and it is clear, from this si”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Demon — In the Gospels generally, in (James 2:19) and in Reve 16:14 The demons are spoken of as spiritual beings, at enmity with God, and having power to afflict man not only with disease, but, as is marked by the frequent epithet "un-clean," with spiritual pollution also. They "believe" the power of God "and tremble," (James 2:19) they recognized the Lord as the Son of God, (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41) and acknowledged the power of his name, used in exorcism. In the place of the name of Jehovah, by his appointed messengers, (Acts 19:15) and looked forward in terror to t”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 13:5: 13:5-8 The four characteristics of the beast are that he (1) blasphemes God, (2) has authority for a limited time, (3) makes war against God’s people, and (4) rules the world. But God is in control. 13:5 The forty-two months are the three and a half years of persecution and evil domination (see study note on 11:2-3).”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 16:29: Here is another sort of evil men described to us, that we may neither do like them, nor have any thing to do with them. 1. Such as (like Satan) do all the mischief they can by force and violence, as roaring lions, and not only by fraud and insinuation, as subtle serpents: They are violent men, that do all by rapine and oppression, that shut their eyes, meditating with the closest intention and application of mind to devise froward things, to contrive how they may do the greatest mischief to their neighbour, to do it effectually and yet securely to themselves; a”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 4:6: 4:6 they are mine to give: The New Testament elsewhere describes Satan’s limited rule over the present world order (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph 2:2; 1 Jn 5:19).”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 2:11: Lest Satan should get an advantage of us,.... Or make gain of us, or we should be circumvented by him; a metaphor taken from covetous persons, who take every occasion, and make use of every advantage to circumvent and deceive persons in trading with them: Satan gets an advantage of the churches, when church discipline is brought into neglect and contempt, or turned into tyranny; or when he can draw off any person from a church, or keep him out of it: wherefore the apostle's argument is, that since the incestuous person had true repentance for his sin, he ought ”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 2:11: Lest Satan should get an advantage - If the man who has given sufficient proof of the sincerity of his repentance be not restored, he may be overwhelmed with sorrow, and sink into despair; and then the discipline of the Church will be represented, not as emendatory, but as leading to destruction. Of this our enemies would most gladly avail themselves, as they wish to discredit this ministry; and there is always at hand a devil to suggest evil, and prompt men to do it; for in this respect we have thorough acquaintance with his devices. Let us therefore be care”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 3:1: We have here an account of the temptation with which Satan assaulted our first parents, to draw them into sin, and which proved fatal to them. Here observe, I. The tempter, and that was the devil, in the shape and likeness of a serpent. 1. It is certain it was the devil that beguiled Eve. The devil and Satan is the old serpent (Rev 12:9), a malignant spirit, by creation an angel of light and an immediate attendant upon God's throne, but by sin become an apostate from his first state and a rebel against God's crown and dignity. Multitudes of the angels fell; but th”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 12:40: Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits,.... This is said in allusion to, and in imitation of the seven spirits before the throne; or may denote a large number of devils, seven being a number of perfection; or else the various corruptions of a man's heart, the swarms of internal lusts which are there stirred up by Satan; more wicked than himself, as these are more pernicious to man, than the devil himself: and they enter in and dwell there; that is, though they were there before, now they exert and show themselves, and such men appear to be un”