Is the devil real?

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IS THE devil real? What do you think? Some persons would say: “No way! The devil is just imagination!” Or some might say: “The devil is just the evil within a person.” Others would say: “Yes! The devil is real!”

What does the Bible really say in answer to this question? Satan is another name for the devil. Job 1:6-12 records a conversation that took place in heaven. Along with the other sons of God (angels) that presented themselves before God, Satan also entered with them (verse 6). Verse 7 states that God questioned Satan as to where he came from. Satan answered, saying that he went to and fro, walking in the Earth. The conversation continued from verses 8 to 12.

Was God speaking to some imagination, or to the evil in humans? Certainly not! God was speaking to a real person, an angel who rebelled against God because he became very proud and wanted worship that belongs only to the Almighty God, who is our Creator – (I Timothy 3:6; Matthew 4:9, 10; Revelation 4:11).

Furthermore, when Jesus was tempted by the devil, are we to imagine that Jesus was tempted by mere imagination, or some evil in Himself? Matthew 4:1, 3-11. Of course not! Jesus was tempted by a real evil spirit person, Satan the devil. There was no evil in Jesus – (I Peter 2:22).

Therefore, God’s Word plainly shows us that the devil is a real spirit person. May we do our best to resist him and his demons (devils) and try to get to know the true God and His Son – (I Corinthians 10:20, 21; James 4:7, 8; John 17:3; Psalm 83:18).

SIMEON JAMES