The New Testament Declares Satan is Real
The New Testament declares Satan is real.
Satan is mentioned much more frequently in the New Testament than in the Old Testament, about 115 times. Over half of the times he is called “Satan” or the “devil.” He’s also called the evil one, Beezelbub, the dragon, the serpent, the enemy, the ruler of demons, the ruler of this world, the prince of the power of the air, Apollyon, the tempter, and the god of this world.
Some of the names, like “the dragon,” are symbolic. That’s one way the Apostle refers to him in the book of Revelation.1 Though Satan isn’t literally a “dragon,” the symbolism reflects the underlying reality not only of Satan’s existence, but also his power and his evil nature.
Most often Scripture speaks of Satan in a plain matter of fact way, no different from any other person in the Bible. There are many examples. We’ll look at three.
The first is Satan’s temptation of Jesus in the desert. Matthew and Luke give details of the interaction, specifically reporting what Jesus and Satan each did and said (Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). Mark’s gospel plainly states:
And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. (Mark 1:13)
Some have suggested that the phrase “being tempted by Satan” is symbolic language describing Jesus’ inner psychological struggles, rather than a literal encounter with Satan. Offering such fanciful ideas twists Scripture beyond recognition and is used as a means of rejecting Scripture rather than honestly interpreting it.
A second example of Scripture speaking of Satan in a plain way are words Jesus said to Simon Peter:
“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.” (Luke 22:31–32)
No imaginary figure demands permission to do anything.
Finally, consider Paul warning the church at Corinth to beware of false apostles. He said they shouldn’t be surprised to find such deceivers in their midst, because “…even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). An imaginary figure can’t disguise himself.
These are just three examples of the New Testament plainly speaking of Satan as a literal, living being. There are many others. Nothing in the Bible states, suggests, or implies that Satan is anything other than a real. He’s real. He’s alive. He hates God. And, he hates you if you are a child of God. That said, who is he?