Chapter 1: The Nature of Evil

What defines a person? During a heated discussion at the age of 14, I resorted to hurtful words, exclaiming “Go to hell!” before turning away, embodying a moment of unkindness. I was not proud of that version of myself; it was a stark contrast to the innocent face of a typical 14-year-old.

At that time, many of my friends were preparing for confirmation in the Church of England—a ceremony affirming their Christian faith. I attended church regularly, participated in youth group meetings, and read the Bible diligently. However, my conviction wavered when it came to confirming my beliefs. I found myself in confirmation classes with the vicar, often sitting at his kitchen counter adorned with vibrant geraniums.

Each week, I questioned the existence of hell. What kind of God would create such a place? I wasn't ready to accept that. After a month, the classes ended, and the vicar departed from the church, perhaps sharing my doubts about such a deity. I chose not to be confirmed and spent years grappling with my inquiries.

Yet, my focus shifted from hell to Satan; the two concepts are often intertwined.

The conventional Christian perspective views Satan as the ultimate adversary of God, reveling in the corruption of God’s creations, undermining divine intentions, and leading humanity astray. If one were to summarize his essence, it would be this: “He is a liar from the very beginning.”

Christians have a complex relationship with Satan. While we prefer his absence, there exists an odd expectation for his influence in our lives. When misfortune strikes—like a broken cup or a damaged car mirror—it's easy to blame Satan. Even when we miss church or lose our temper, it feels cathartic to attribute these mishaps to the devil.

In a way, I acknowledge that my thoughts can spiral into negativity, often when life throws its challenges my way. This leads me to consider that if Satan or his minions disrupt my life, perhaps I am doing something right, prompting the devil to intervene in my daily routine rather than focusing on larger global issues.

From a Christian viewpoint, just as we believe God is intricately involved in our lives, we also recognize that malevolent forces can influence us, especially if we allow them entry through negligence.

Three intriguing aspects about Satan warrant exploration: his mobility, appearance, and status.

Contrary to expectations of him residing in fiery depths, the Book of Job presents a scene where he converses with God in heaven. Even during Jesus’ 40-day fast in the desert, Satan attempts to sway Him with scriptural manipulation.

Despite being a rebellious creation of God, Satan does not inhabit hell; he roams the earth, the heavens, and the air in between, including the very spaces we occupy.

What, then, does he look like? Is he the embodiment of all evil depicted in cinema, or do we find an alluring figure in portrayals like Netflix’s "Lucifer," which romanticizes his character, suggesting a twisted form of redemption?

I prefer to acknowledge a devil who is transparent about his nature rather than one masquerading as an angel of light.

The Bible describes him as a once-perfect and resplendent being:

Every precious stone was your covering:

The ruby, the topaz and the diamond;

The beryl, the onyx and the jasper;

The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald;

And the gold…

(Bible: Ezekiel 28:13, NASB)

Though he was once blameless, he can still masquerade as an angel of light. His prolonged rebellion has likely altered his appearance, stripping him of his original beauty.

This degraded version of Satan, however, does not disturb me as much as the former. I prefer a devil who is open about his true nature rather than one who pretends to be virtuous.

As for his status, this complicates the conversation around him. The Bible warns against trivializing the devil:

...these people…speak abusively of angelic majesties. But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil…did not dare pronounce against him an abusive judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Bible: Jude 8–11, NASB)

In a strange way, Satan is regarded by Christians as an angelic figure. Yet, despite this acknowledgment, we must remember that “...the Son of God came to destroy these works of the devil” (Bible: 1 John 3:8, LB).

This question of status calls for a certain reverence towards unseen forces. It took me years to come to terms with my earlier question about the nature of God who creates hell.

It is the kind of God who forms the most beautiful and powerful angels with free will, allowing them to serve Him or oppose Him. Ultimately, He will not tolerate evil indefinitely:

…the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (Bible: Matthew 25:41, NASB)

Chapter 2: Understanding Satan's Role in Modern Faith

In this insightful video titled "The Bible's Definition of the Devil," we delve into biblical interpretations that shed light on the nature of Satan and his role within Christian theology.

The second video, "Who is the Devil?: What does 'Satan' mean? | City Rev Life Podcast," further explores the implications of Satan's identity and significance in contemporary Christian thought.

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