Satan’s Sin

It is very helpful to examine Satan’s fall into wickedness in order to further understand the nature of sin and how it has put unbelievers under his rule. Satan was the first created being to sin (see John 8:44). He was not tempted by anyone to turn from good to evil. James 1:13 reveals God does not tempt others to sin. God did not create nor desire evil to occur. Habakkuk 1:13 shows God is so pure He hates even looking at any form of evil.

Satan was not originally evil. God created him as a good loving angel with a free-will. Satan used his free-will to turn away from God to wickedness. Satan’s fall into evil had a number of features:

 

a)        Firstly, it involved him becoming proud. 1 Timothy 3:6 refers to Satan’s pride: “…lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” Satan had the opposite attitude to Jesus Christ. Jesus humbled Himself before God and therefore was exalted (see Philippians 2:5-11). One aspect of Satan’s fall into pride was his turning to self-reliance. He turned from trusting reliance on God to dependence on himself. In other words, he turned from faith in God. Satan came to have an inflated opinion of his own character, nature and abilities. Satan foolishly believed he was self-sufficient and did not need God. Only God is totally self-sufficient. Every created being depends on Him for their beginning and their continuing existence and functioning.

b)        Secondly, Satan’s fall into sin seems to have included a self-centred, lustful desire to be worshipped by other created beings. Satan’s wicked desire to be worshipped has continued throughout human history (see Matthew 4:9 and Revelation 13:4). 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 shows Satan’s demons have a similar attitude to him in that they are pleased to accept the worship offered to pagan idols.

c)        Satan’s fall into wickedness also involved rejecting God’s will and focusing on his own will. Satan began to use his God-given free-will for totally self-centred purposes. Satan convinced many angels to do the same (see Matthew 25:41 and Revelation 12:9). The Bible contains many examples of Satan choosing his own wicked will instead of God’s loving will.

 

The human race has fallen under Satan’s rule by their proud, self-reliant, self-centred attitudes and their putting their own wills above God’s. They have imitated the fall and present nature of Satan.

One example of how human beings have imitated Satan is in the area of murder and violence. John 8:44 records Satan had violent murderous intentions from the time of his fall. The multitudes of wars, murders, rapes, atrocities, vicious assaults, violent arguments between married couples and so on are examples of humans imitating Satan’s character.

Genesis 6:11 reveals how violent the human race became after its fall into sin: “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” James 4:1-2 shows murder, wars and fights are caused by selfish desires. Satan is the epitome of selfishness. God is the opposite – perfectly unselfish and loving.

 

Bible Study Question

 

1. Explain the nature of Satan’s fall into sin.