EP. 257 What the Bible Really Says About Satan

SHOW NOTES:

Welcome to Episode 257 of The Hope Rescue Podcast! Today we are kicking off a brand-new series that will take a deep dive into spiritual warfare, the demonic realm, and the reality of hell. This is a topic that is both sobering and essential for every believer to understand. Too often, misconceptions cloud our understanding of these subjects, and our goal is to approach them with biblical clarity, theological accuracy, and practical application.

Growing up, many of us were taught that Satan is everywhere at all times, actively working to thwart us at every moment. Tim shares that he once believed this too. While Satan is real, he is not God. He is not omnipresent, omniscient, or omnipotent. Satan is a created being—a fallen angel whose power is limited by God’s sovereignty. He is a formidable enemy, but he is not all-powerful, and his activity is constrained by God’s purposes.

The Bible teaches that there are indeed many demons, fallen angels who oppose God’s plan and seek to lead people into sin. However, not every difficulty, trial, or misfortune is the direct work of the devil. One of the most pervasive misconceptions today is that anything bad that happens is caused by demonic influence. Scripture makes it clear that the world is fallen (Romans 8:20-22), and sin and human brokenness are responsible for much of the suffering and evil we see around us. Satan may seek to exploit sin, but we must not give him credit for every challenge we face.

Tim points out a significant example of misapplied scripture in John 10:10, which reads:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Many interpret “the thief” here as a reference to Satan. While it is true that Satan and his demons steal, kill, and destroy (John 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8), the immediate context of John 10 reveals that Jesus was speaking primarily about the Pharisees—religious leaders who opposed Him and misled the people. Jesus’ warning highlights the danger of human deception and religious manipulation. This does not diminish the reality of Satan’s activity, but it reminds us to interpret Scripture carefully and avoid twisting verses to fit preconceived narratives.

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare

While we must avoid over-attributing evil to demons, the Bible is clear: spiritual warfare is real. Believers are engaged in an unseen battle in the spiritual realm. 1 Peter 5:8-9 warns:

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."

This passage underscores several key truths:

1. Satan is real and active – He prowls, looking for opportunities to harm God’s people.

2. We are called to vigilance – Awareness and sobriety are essential to avoid falling into temptation.

3. Resistance is possible through faith – Believers are equipped to stand firm in the midst of attacks, drawing strength from the Spirit.

4. Suffering is universal – Trials and persecution are not signs of personal failure; they are shared experiences within the global body of Christ.

   
   

Understanding spiritual warfare should lead not to fear, but to vigilance, prayer, and dependence on God. Satan’s power is limited, and our victory is secure in Christ. Spiritual warfare is real, but it must be understood biblically. Overestimating Satan leads to fear and superstition, while underestimating him leads to complacency and vulnerability. By grounding our understanding in Scripture, we can discern the enemy’s schemes, resist temptation, and remain steadfast in faith.

What’s Next

In next week’s episode, we will continue this series by examining how to resist the devil and put on the full armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-18. Understanding spiritual warfare is not enough; we must actively equip ourselves to stand firm and walk in victory.