Top Bible Verses About Satan You Need to Know!

A character study on Satan might seem dark, however understanding your enemy’s playbook is great information. The Bible verses on Satan help us identify and understand his ultimate goals. Additionally important, is understanding when people in our lives reflect the information about the character of the evil one. Why might this be important? Because, the evil one is certainly at work in the lives of people. When we know how to identify evil, we can stand against it- both in the spiritual and physical realm. The reality that evil exists is a hard pill to swallow, but God’s Word points to this reality. We must believe God’s Word-it’s Truth. The truth about evil is given to us so we can identify and discern it, responding appropriately.

Bible Verses About Satan’s Past

Isaiah 14:12-15 – How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.

Ezekiel 28:12-17 – Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord God: ‘You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering… You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.’

Luke 10:18 – And he said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’

Satan’s fall from heaven was a consequence of his pride and rebellion against God. These passages point to Satan having great beauty and wisdom. As a result, Satan was full of pride and wanted to elevate himself above God. This arrogance led to his downfall, as shown in the passages of Isaiah and Ezekiel. Jesus also mentions witnessing Satan’s fall like lightning from heaven. These passages collectively underscore Satan’s transformation from a high-ranking celestial being to the adversary and deceiver of humanity.

Bible Verses About Satan and His Names

The following Bible verses about Satan and the various names used in the Bible point to the evil character He embodies. As you read through the Scriptures keep in mind that people can also reflect these traits. Being aware of the following traits discussed in the these verses can save you from unecessary pain in some relationships.

Lucifer

Isaiah 14:12-15 – How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.

The name “Lucifer” means “Day Star” or “Morning Star,” according to the Lexicon in the Blue Letter Bible. This passage has dual meaning as it refers to the physical King of Babylon as well as Satan. Notice how this passage speaks to Satan’s pride. He says “I will” 5 times referring to how he will “make himself like the Most High”.  It also gives us information about his past and future- fallen from heaven and will be brought down to the depth of the pit when Jesus returns. 

Satan

Job 1:6-7 – Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 

Revelation 12:10 – And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

“Satan” literally means “adversary”. Satan is the adversary of God and His people. An adversary is someone who opposes or contends with another, especially in a hostile manner. This type of opposition seeks to harm, defeat or destroy. Various definitions also point to the hostility or opposition to be deeply rooted or long term, implying in tense animosity.

Devil

Matthew 4:1 – Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Devil comes from the Greek “diabolos” meaning slanderer or accuser. An accuser may be making true or false statements. Whereas a slanderer makes false statements. In making accusations, you can rest assure, the devil does not have the best interests of the person he is accusing. A slanderer on the other hand makes false statements about someone with evil intent in mind. That means, the slanderer intends to do harm to the person they are making false statements about.

Tempter

Matthew 4:3 – And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’

A tempter is someone who seeks to lead another into sin or wrongdoing by appealing to their desires or weaknesses. The Blue Letter Bible has several descriptions, but this one best demonstrates the enemy’s evil intentions: “in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily”. Remember, the enemy desires to oppose God, His people and His plans. If the tempter can entise us to sin, his ultimate goal is to devour and destroy. 

Accuser

Revelation 12:10 – And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.’

Someone who accuses, is a person who claims that someone has committed an offense or done something wrong. Satan is called “the accuser of our brothers,” indicating his continual role in bringing accusations against believers. The enemy accuses believers of sin in hopes to condemn them. However, Jesus has paid the debt of our sin. Therefore, Satan’s accusations mean nothing. 

Prince of This World | God of This World

Ephesians 2:1-2 – And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.

John 12:31 – Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.

John 14:30 – I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me.

​John 16:11 – concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

2 Corinthians 4:4 – In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

These verses about Satan as the “prince of this world”  point to his rule of the world, which is limited and temporary. He has an influence over those who are living in disobedience to God. Additionally, working to lead believers away from God, His light and into sin. Jesus has already defeated Satan at the cross. However, because he is still at work in the world; Believers must be aware of his schemes, resist his influence, and live in the victory and authority of Jesus Christ.

Bible Verses About Satan and His Deceptive Nature

Deception is the means to which Satan attempts to maintain power and control to the greatest extent possible. Especially in unbelievers, but certainly in believers as well. In the following verses Jesus refers to him as the “father of lies”. Paul indicates that the devil appears as “light” in order to disguise himself and deceive. In other words, he pretends to be light, however he is actually evil. Evil wants to look good, not actually be good. We saw that all the way back in the Garden of Eden- see verse below. I reflected on the evil in the world and sin in general. I couldn’t think of any sin or evil that didn’t have an element of deception in it.

John 8:44 – You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

2 Corinthians 11:14 – And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Genesis 3:4-5 – But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’

Revelation 12:9- And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Encouragement – Satan’s power is limited and even more so in the life of a believer. As believers we have the Holy Spirit of God to help, guide and protect us. Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the whole Armor of God in order to stand against the kingdoms of the world. That means prayer is a powerful divine weapon. Additionally, another powerful weapon to combat lies is the Truth! Be in God’s Word- so you are not deceived.

Bible Verses About Satan 

These are additional Bible verses about Satan that support the verses above pointing to the names of Satan.

1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

This verse warns believers to be vigilant because Satan. His goal is to “devour”, which means to consume or destroy something completely. This is pure evil. Christians are reminded to be watchful and aware of his schemes.

2 Corinthians 11:3 – But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

This is a warning to believers that Satan desires to lead believers away from “pure devotion to Christ” through deception. Cunning refers to Satan’s ability to accomplish this evil goal through cleverness, skillful deception, or trickery. It implies the deceitful and manipulative quality. Check out:  How To Deal With Manipulators Biblically

Ephesians 6:11-12 – Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

The whole armor of God is our playbook to defeat the schemes of the devil.

James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

This is another great instruction on battling the schemes of the devil. Submitting to God is falling under His authority and will for our lives. Check out more on temptation here.

Luke 22:31-32 – Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

Jesus warns Peter (Simon) that Satan has asked to test him severely but reassures him that He has prayed for his faith, indicating Satan’s desire to challenge and weaken believers. Notice, Jesus “prayed”!

Revelation 20:2-3 – And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

One day there will be no more deception. Satan’s work on earth is limited and temporary. We can look forward to the day we no longer have to contend with deception from the enemy or deception in our own flesh.

Zechariah 3:1-2 – Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?’

Here Satan is showing himself as the accuser, but God is defending Joshua- because He is our Defender.

1 John 3:8 – Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

​John is indicating that persisting or practicing sin is a characteristic of the devil. Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy and sin.

Bible Verses About Satan the Serpent

The serpent is known by his crafty nature. Craftiness uses deception as a way to deceive and manipulate mankind to devour and destroy. Praise God it will not always be this way. One day the enemy will face God’s ultimate and final judgment for his deceptive practices. 

Genesis 3:1-5 – Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”‘ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’

2 Corinthians 11:3 – But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Revelation 12:9 – And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Bible Verses About Satan, the Evil One

In the Bible, evil is defined as anything that is contrary to God’s nature, will, and commandments. It is moral wickedness, sin, and rebellion against God. Evil is personified in Satan and his works, representing all that is harmful, corrupt, and opposed to light-and the goodness of God. 

Matthew 13:19 – When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.

Matthew 13:38 – The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one.

John 17:15 – I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

1 John 2:13-14 – I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

1 John 3:12 – We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

1 John 5:18 – We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.

Malice in the Bible: Evil Intent

Malice is the intention or desire to do evil or cause harm to others. It involves ill will, spite, or a deep-seated meanness. This is the heart of Satan. Believers are called to put malice away from them because that is what aligns with God’s heart. Notice this contrast that malice aligns with enemy and goodness aligns with God. This is good information not only so we can walk in light, but to understand there are likely people in your lives who practice malice.

Ephesians 4:31 – Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Colossians 3:8 – But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

1 Peter 2:1 – So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

Titus 3:3 – For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Stay Away From People Who Reflect Evil

One of the hardest and most painful lessons in my life has been the reality that there is evil among us- in our inner circles. Evil exists in this world. It can be in our homes, our families and our church. The Bible has made this reality quite clear- believe it. Believe it so you can discern it. The following verses give good instruction in light of this reality.

Psalm 34:14 – Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Hebrews 5:14 – But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Proverbs 4:7 – The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

Philippians 1:9-10 – And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Matthew 7:6 – Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Proverbs 9:7-8 – Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

Matthew 10:16 – Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Matthew 7:15-20 – Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Romans 12:9 – Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Abstain from every form of evil.

Ephesians 5:11 – Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Psalm 1:1 – Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.

1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’

2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Proverbs 13:20 – Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Titus 3:10-11 – As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Bible Verses About Satan And His Destiny

The following Bible verses about Satan indicate that his fate is certain. These Scriptures give us hope for the future as believers. Good (God) will ulitimately triumph over evil.

Matthew 25:41 – Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’

Romans 16:20 – The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Revelation 20:1-3 – Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

Revelation 20:7-10 – And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 12:11 – And they have conquered him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Wrapping Up Bible Verses About Satan

As you navigated all the Bible verses about Satan, I wonder what was most striking to you. How did God speak to you? Who, in your life reflected some of the qualities you learned about evil? Most importantly, how will you use the whole armor of God to protect yourself and guard against evil? Leave your comments and thoughts below!