Conclusions

It will be useful to look back and see what we have learnt.

First of all, we saw that the doctrine of a fallen-angel devil is not taught in the Old Testament. In Old Testament times the Jews did not believe in a supernatural devil. The Persians invented this belief (or something very close to it), and at first the Jews all rejected it. But by the time of Jesus Christ many Jews had come to believe that the devil was a rebellious angel. Among them were those enemies of Jesus, the Pharisees. The writers of the New Testament, however, dropped many hints that they did not believe this Persian doctrine. To them, and to the Lord Jesus, "Satan, the devil" was a parable of wicked human nature. In short, in the whole Bible there is nothing that clearly teaches the doctrine of a superhuman Satan, and there is very much that contradicts it.

This conclusion leads to an interesting question. If the idea of a supernatural devil is not part of Bible teaching, why is it such a popular doctrine? Millions of people cling very strongly to their belief in this devil, and talking to them you sometimes get the impression that they actually enjoy believing in him. Why?


Some people even go so far as to worship Satan. In fact, devil worship is said to be the fastest growing religion in the world today. Again: why is this?

There is a very simple answer to these questions. This may not be the only reason for the popularity of this false belief, but it undoubtedly is an important one: human beings always have tried to shift the blame for their sins. When the very first man was caught committing the world's first sin, he said to God:
"The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me the fruit of the tree, and I ate" (Genesis 3:12).

But the woman would not accept the blame, either. She defended herself: "The serpent beguiled me, and I ate" Genesis 3:14).

Both these early sinners used the same excuse, "I wasn't altogether to blame, because somebody else tempted me!" All men and women are the children of this first sinful pair. Down through the ages, millions of us have echoed their excuses. "Please don't altogether blame me, Lord—remember the evil being who tempted me!"

It is comforting to defend ourselves like that. It is a reassuring thought that there is always at least one creature who is much more wicked than oneself. These are pleasant beliefs to hold. And that is why there have always been millions of people holding them.

But they are false comfort. The Bible shows that there is no supernatural being who tempts us. God sees only one person to blame for our sins: ourselves. This is the real devil, your own inner self. Face up to him, and with Christ's help defeat him, and you will be on the road to everlasting life.

- ALAN HAYWARD