Who Is Satan (the Devil) — In Biblical Context
Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and now leads the forces of evil, seeking to oppose God's purposes and destroy humanity.
Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God and now leads the forces of evil, seeking to oppose God's purposes and destroy humanity.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." — 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Satan (meaning 'adversary') was originally created as a magnificent angel. Ezekiel 28:12-15, while addressed to the king of Tyre, is widely understood to describe Satan's original state: 'Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.' Isaiah 14:12-14 describes his fall: motivated by pride, he declared 'I will be like the most High' and was cast from heaven. Jesus confirmed this: 'I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven' (Luke 10:18). Satan is called by many names in Scripture: the devil, the serpent, the dragon, the accuser, the tempter, the prince of this world, and the god of this age. He tempted Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3), accused Job before God (Job 1-2), tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), and continues to prowl 'as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour' (1 Peter 5:8). Despite his power, Satan is a defeated enemy — Christ crushed his authority at the cross (Colossians 2:15), and his ultimate fate is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, 1 Peter 5:8, sits inside 1 Peter 5. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
Supporting Passages
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
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