Jesus describes the devil as a thief, who comes to steal, kill and destroy. He is also called the father of lies. (John 10:10, John 8:44) In the garden of Eden the devil came disguised as a snake and fooled Adam and Eve. He asked: “Have God really said…?”
Basically, the devil made them question and doubt what God had said.
Then he tempted them by saying that they could become like God. They disobeyed what God had told them. This separated them from God, and the devil gained control and became the god of this world (Genesis 3).
Before the world was created, the devil was a beautiful angel in heaven, but he became proud and tried to make himself like God. Because of his disobedience he was thrown out of heaven together with one third of the angels. (Isaiah 14:13-14)
Unfortunately, because of what happened with the first human beings, all mankind was separated from God. Jesus had to come to restore the way back to God, so that we can receive eternal life with God our Father in heaven.
The devil comes only to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came to give life in abundance!
John 10:10
The devil is described as the god and ruler of this world, and he is still active today with his demons and fallen angels. The Bible calls the devil among other names Lucifer, Angel of light, and Morningstar. He has many names and hides his identity through idols and images of false gods. Through magic and witchcraft, and in many other ways he tries to fool you and me.
The devil wants to deceive and keep people from seeing the truth about God,
and to lead them to his own damnation in hell. The Bible says that he will lead many people away from God. (2.Corinthians 4:3-4). Jesus came that He might destroy the works of the devil in our lives and in the world.
God is ONE. The first and second commandment tell us that we should not make any images of God or have any gods except from Him. God is our Father, the Creator and Love itself. Jesus is our Saviour and Rescuer, the Son of God who has paid the price for our sins, so that we don’t have to spend eternity in hell with the devil. By God’s grace we have been saved.
The devil will always try to accuse and deceive you, but it is often hard to recognise him. He tries to make you question the Word of God, like with Eve in the beginning: “Have God really said..?”
The truth is that God has bought you free from the grip of the devil.