Biblical Names of Satan =his Schemes and Plans: By knowing his names, we know how he behaves! 

Apollyon & Abaddon (Rev. 9:11): These Greek and Hebrew terms mean he is the destroyer.  

LUCIFER (Isaiah 14:12): This term means the morning star. It literally means a "light-bearer", the shining one, a picture of Satan’s original position in heaven with the angels. He is able still to masquerade as a beautiful being to snare Christians! 

SATAN (1 Chr. 21:1; Job 1:2f;Job 16; Zech 3:1-2; Matthew 4:10): This term means “adversary”; he is the chief adversary both to God and to humans. 

DEVIL (Matt. 13:39; Ephesians 6:11): This term occurs in the New Testament only.  It comes from the Greek language, meaning to accuse and slander. He accuses and slanders (Rev. 12:10). 

DRAGON (Isaiah 51:9, Revelation 12:3,7; 13:2): The term dragon means literally “Serpent” or "Sea Monster".  A dragon is a terrifying and destructive beast who seeks the total devastation of God's people. This image is not meant to terrify us..

SERPENT (Genesis 3:1; Isa. 27:1; Rev. 12:9; 20:2): This term refers to his “crookedness”, "craftiness", and “deceitfulness.” This name reveals the first reference to Satan in the Bible, as he stalked and deceived Eve. His intention is malice, fury, cruelty, all directed toward God's truth and God's people.  

BEELZEBUB or BEELZEBUL (Matt. 10:25; 12:24,27; Mark 3:22): The exact meaning of this term is not known. It is suggested that it means "lord of the house" and may refer to Satan's authority over the demons.  

BELIAL or BELIAR (2 Cor. 6:15):  This term was used in the Old Testament in the context of “worthlessness.” 

THE WICKED ONE OR THE EVIL ONE (Matt. 13:19,38; Eph. 6:16): A description of his character and work. 

THE TEMPTER (Matt 4:3; I Thessalonians 3:5): This name indicates that his constant purpose is to cause people to sin. This term seems to indicate that he presents the most plausible excuses and suggests the most striking advantage for sinning.  

THE GOD OF THIS WORLD (2 Corinthians 4:4): He sponsors false religion and all the false cults and systems which are against Christianity; he presides over our anti-God life style.  

THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR (Eph. 2:2; 6:12): As such, he is the leader of the evil angels and prince over this vast host (army) of subordinates (demons) which carry out his orders. He rules with tyrannical power. 

PRINCE THAT SHALL COME (Daniel 9:26): This is a picture of a military commander of an army, occupying the front, doing horrible atrocities. Also see II Thessalonians 2:3-4 and Revelation 12:7-9. 

SON OF PERDITION (John 17:12; II Thes. 2:3): Satan can and will cause ruin or loss in physical, spiritual or eternal arenas. He will destroy you fully if you let him and refuse Christ’s love and mediation.  

STRONG MAN (Mt 12:29): Satan is powerless to prevent the Kingdom of God because he has been bound. We do not have the power to do it as some teach; only Christ does and did!  

THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD (Daniel 10:12-11:1; John 12:31; 14:30 16:11): This seems to refer to his influence over the governments and political arenas of this world, that he is the one who is the ruler and guards his position. 

ANGEL OF LIGHT (2 Cor. 11:12-14): This phrase best describes Satan’s masterful ability of imitation and his counterfeit proposals given to individuals. He is cunning as a wolf in sheep's clothing, disguising evil in a good-looking package.   

LITTLE HORN (Daniel 7:8): This is just symbolic power, a horn (as an extrapolative); by implication, a flask, a cornet; by resembling an elephant's tooth (ivory), a corner of the altar, or a mountain peak, or a ray of light.  

ROARING LION (1 Peter 5:8):  This “word picture” emphasizes Satan’s continual persecution and his role as a persecutor of believers. 

FATHER OF LIES (John 8:44): Satan’s opposition to God includes a vast host of fallen angels and his counterfeit proposals, which do not derive their source from the Lord. It describes Satan as the source (father) of all that is untrue (lies) (1 John 3:8.).       

KING OF BABYLON (Isaiah 14:4): This name means confusion; ‘Babel’, i.e., “he keeps babbling about…” (i.e., Babylon = nonsense). This also refers to Babylonia and the Babylonian empire.  

KING OF TYRUS (Ezekiel 28:12): refers to a rock; ‘Tsor’, is a place in Palestine. Satan is the false rock. Christ is the One true Rock!

WICKED ONE (1 John 5:18): This description is self evident!  

MEPHISTOPHELES: is not a biblical name; it is found in German folklore. The most notorious of the spirits of evil, it is identified with the exploits of "Dr. Faust Goethe", who defines Mephistopheles as, "part of the power that still works for good while ever scheming ill."  Mephistopheles in Goethe’s Tale called “Faust”: I am the spirit that denies! And justly so; for all things from the void called forth deserve to be destroyed; “Twere better, then, were naught created. Thus, all which you as sin have rated, Destruction, caught with evil bent. That is my proper element.”  

Satan’s Descriptions=Satan’s Strategies!

Liar: He is the father, inspirer, and creator of lies.  His goal is to steal God's glory and plan through God's people (John 8:44) and to stimulate us to lie (Acts 5:3)! 

Enemy: He is totally dedicated to the opposition of the children of God with destructive ferocity (I Peter 5:8). 

Counterfeiter:  He is able to present an innocent “front” 2 Corinthians (11:14,15). 

Misleader: He uses evil spirits to mislead Christians in Bible truth and doctrine (I Timothy 4:1). 

Deceiver: He seeks by all possible means to create false impressions and misunderstandings, and use innuendoes, to cause us to fight amongst each other (Revelation 12:9; II Thessalonians 2:9,10). 

Promoter of pride: He stimulates humanity’s high appraisal of itself (Genesis 3:5; I Timothy 3:6). 

Outwitter (Luke 22:32; 2 Cor. 2:11; 11:3-15; Eph. 6:16):  He probes us for weakness, then misleads, misdirects and undermines our strengths, hopes, faith and love in the wrong direction, away from God's will.   

Blinder of people’s minds: His purpose is to keep individuals in darkness (ignorance) of the light of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). 

Ruler of darkness: His kingdom is totally without the light of truth, peace and love (Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Colossians 1:13; I John 2:9-Il). 

Director of demonic activity: He controls an army of evil spirits, not limited to "demons". Remember he controls only a third; God has 2/3rds (Matthew 12:24; Ephesians 6:12)!!! 

Suppressor of the Word of God: He constantly seeks to block the proclamation, acceptance, and use of the Scriptures Matthew 13:38,39). 

Hinderer: He seeks to put things in the way of the Christian seeking to do God’s will (I Thessalonians 2:18). He also is opposed to our prayers and fights against them (Dan. 10:12-11:1). 

Oppressor: He uses depression and discouragement as weapons to undermine the Christian’s sense of purpose (Acts 10:38; 1 Kings 19). 

Troubler: He seeks to invade the physical realm and to limit the strength of God’s children (2 Corinthians 12:7). 

Accuser and slanderer: His name, Devil, or "diabolos" (Greek), means a person who throws things at people (Revelation 12:10). 

Creator of division: He is out to cause dissension and disagreement between Christians (2 Corinthians 2:10,11; James 3:13-16). 

Trickster: He uses subtle ways and means of confusing the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:11).                          

Tempter: His plan is to persuade us to take an alternate course to God’s way (Matthew 4:1 - 11; Luke 4:1-13; I Thessalonians 3:5).

Ensnarer: He is out to trap the Christian to commit sin, thus ruining and spoiling his testimony (I Timothy 3:7).                                                                                   

Stimulator of lust: He distorts normal desires, by taking God's design and inflaming it; uncontrolled sensuality (emotions) is a tool of Satan (Ephesians 2:2,3). 

Counterfeiter: He is capable of presenting an innocent “front” (2 Corinthians 11:14,15). 

Murderer: He is the destroyer and devourer.  He is intent upon the callous and calculated destruction of God’s children (I Peter 5:8; John 8:44; Revelation 9:11). 

Angel of bottomless pit (Rev 9:11): Same context as murder.  

God and prince of this world: He stirs up the three cravings described in I John 2:16 (foolish pride, selfish desires, & worldly desires) and focuses Christians on the worldly desires (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31; 14:30; 1 6:15; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12). 

HOSTILE OPPONENT: He is the grand adversary to everything good and is dedicated to the opposition of God's plans (Zech. 3:1; I Thess. 2:17-18). 

Our response to Satan's lies (Eph 2:8-9; 1 John 4:1; James 4:7): 

·     We are to submit to God's will (2 Cor. 11:3, 14-15).  Satan's ways look good and appealing, but God's way is the way that is best; Satan's way is death. It is better to be poor and honest than rich and dishonest!  

·     We are to obey God's will (2 Tim. 3:16). This is our sure-fire response to temptation, just as our Lord used!  

·     We are to focus on the Cross (John 14:6).  We are to ignore the human standards, remember that Jesus died for us, and know that no sin is too big for Him to deal with and forgive. No matter what we have gone through, He is there for us, loving us. Satan wants us to diminish the cross by adding to it with penance; Christ wants us to repent!   

·     We need to commit to God's Purpose (1 Timothy 4:1-3; Luke 8:11-12; John 11:25-26), not our will and dreams and aspirations, but need totally to surrender to Christ all of our plans and desires no matter where it takes us.   

·     Remember Satan’s pride brought him down (How is your pride doing?) to the lowest of levels, and he is certain of his fate. His current ambition is to deceive as many of humanity as possible, to share with him in his fate. 

·     God gives all of the armor we need to defend ourselves (2 Cor. 10:4).  

         So, we are to trust Him and use Him and His gifts and tools! We are to have them on and be holding them, and using them, especially militant prayer! It is our responsibility to have the armor of God on and to be ready to be attacked.  If we are watchful and prepared, then we are ready for the attack of the devil, his demons, and those fiery darts. We may not all know how to attack with the Sword of the Spirit, which is why we have the rest of the armor. If we are not ready to properly use the Sword of the Spirit, then we need to do as II Timothy 2:15 calls us to do: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." When we have all of the gear of the armor, then we are to, "With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Eph 6:18)

Many who criticize the deliverance ministry will claim that we tend to blame everything on demons to avoid personal responsibility. That is simply not true in most cases in this type of ministry. I do not intend on ignoring the flesh or overemphasizing the demonic, but I would like to clearly explain how the two work together to carry out Satan's plan in our lives.

The flesh is the gateway to the demonic. Many times (unless it is generational, etc.), it is through the flesh that demons gain entrance into a person's life. We are first tempted by demons (the enemy works through his army of fallen angels) because they are seeking to gain entrance into our lives or carry out a plan to kill, steal or destroy us (see John 10:10), then once we give in, they become welcomed into our lives, and once they enter, they will serve as bad friends who will constantly seek to negatively influence us. Having a spirit of lust will be like working in an adult bookstore... it will work to wear you down and get you to give in. Without having that spirit, it is much easier to resist the temptation. But wait a minute, what about plain old temptation that is thrown our way on regular bases? We are not immune from that, are we? No, unfortunately we will probably be tempted to a certain degree until we leave this earth. But let me illustrate the difference between normal temptation and having a demon which is pressuring you to sin: When you drive down the road and see an adult bookstore alongside the road, you can easily resist thinking about what is inside that store... that is temptation. Now let's say that you had to work in such a store, and have sex videos playing on the TV screens all day long... that is what it's like to have a spirit of lust. There is a VERY big difference! If you simply feel a little temptation once in a while and find it very easy to resist, then you are likely experiencing simple temptation from the enemy and your goal is to resist it and move on. However, if you feel driven to lust or pornography (or other sinful behavior such as anger, hate, rage, etc.), then you likely have a spirit that must be driven out.

As I said earlier, the flesh is the gateway to the demonic. Demons cannot simply walk up to us and enter... they must be welcomed, and our flesh is their tool to get the job done. If they can tempt us to sin, and our flesh opens the door, then they will have 'permission' to access our souls and/or bodies. This is why you cannot effectively minister to a person who is not ready to let go of their bondage. If somebody is not willing to give up lust, then even if you do get them delivered (by casting out all spirits of lust, addiction, etc.), that person will likely (without even knowing it) re-open that door all over again and the demons can come right back.

Sin is a work of the flesh

Is it possible for a demon to take complete control over a person, and cause them to murder, rape, etc.? Yes! But in most situations, that is not the case.

Unless the demon takes complete control over the person, it is the flesh that commits the sin. Take for example a person who has a spirit of lust and then commits adultery... it is their flesh that has sinned, but it was coaxed along (or pressured) by the spirit of lust (or similar spirits). Having a spirit of lust can pressure us to sin, but it cannot force us to sin. This is why the Bible still refers to various sinful acts as 'works of the flesh':

Galatians 5:19-21, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

Demons are like bad friends

So what if you have a spirit of rage, and you are driven to violence? Wouldn't at least some of it be the demon's fault if you fell into that type of sin? Having a demon is like having a bad friend who has access to your mind and can sit there and inject thoughts or feelings in your system day after day. If you hang around bad friends all the time, what happens? You begin to become like them... they will wear off on you! That is what happens when a person has a demon; the demon's ways will wear on that person's flesh and break it down... making it hard to resist temptation and sin!

Can a demon take control over a person and use their body to commit gruesome acts of murder, etc.? While it can happen, it is rarely the case. Demons are great at working the flesh up to the point of sin and putting pressure on them that can be very hard to resist. This is usually how they do their dirty work in our lives.

Conclusion

The flesh is the open door to the enemy, and the demons are here to ruin our lives. The two work together to carry out Satan's plan to destroy us!

The flesh must be crucified (or consider ourselves dead to sin - see Romans 6:11), and demons must be cast out. If we try to crucify the demon or cast out the flesh... we are wasting our time! It is vital that we accomplish two things when seeking deliverance:

A) Make sure that our flesh is not joining hands with the demon or giving it any permission

B) Get rid of any unclean spirits that may be working against us

It is pointless to constantly discipline the flesh yet allow the demons to remain, and it is also useless to cast out the demons, but allow the flesh to re-open the doors to them again.

"You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth"

Acts 1:8

"Jesus gave a breathtaking global sweep to the task before the apostles. He was strategic. He did not emphasize one part of the task over another.

"His disciples were to have an apostolic ministry locally in Jerusalem, nationally in all Judea, to ethnic minorities in their land like the despised Samaritans as well as to other lands, continents to the end of the earth.

"We need to keep that balance too. The Great Commission is not just the glamorous 'far far away', but the humdrum local outreach in the streets and fields where the believers live, and also to the difficult sections of the community nearby that we would normally seek to avoid.

"Jesus was not giving a range of alternatives from which we could choose... God's passion is for the redeeming work of his Son to be proclaimed to all the peoples of the world. We, as the Church, should be the ones to do it."

Patrick Johnstone,
"The Church is Bigger than You Think."

Jesus graphically illustrated this same principle in Luke 10:29-37.

He had just told the crowd to "love your neighbor as yourself." In response came the question, "Who is my neighbor?"

Jesus answers with the story of the Good Samaritan, a minority man (the Samaritan) who reaches out across ethnic and sociological barriers.

The traveler and the Samaritan were culturally distinct but geographically close to each other.

Like the traveler in Luke, many of our ethnic neighbors need our help, to find jobs, start churches, and begin a new life in America. And there is much they can share with us.