The Bible’s teaching about Satan can feel confusing. Some verses describe him as “bound” and even “destroyed.” Others show him hindering, harassing, and seeking to devour God’s people. How do we make sense of that tension, and what does it reveal about his power in our lives today?
In Jesus’ ministry, Satan was assaulted
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, Satan tries unsuccessfully to tempt Jesus to sin (Luke 4:1-13). At the end of Jesus’ ministry, however, Satan manages to “enter into” Judas (John 13:27), leading him to betray Jesus and secure His arrest and crucifixion.
In between, Jesus claims that His casting out of demons is evidence that He has bound Satan (Matthew 12:28-29). This is the exact same word used in the much-disputed passage in Revelation 20:2, where Satan is said to be “bound” for a thousand years. Jesus’ coming has somehow restrained the work of the devil.
Additionally, when the disciples return from their mission, they report that “even the demons are subject to us in your name” (Luke 10:17), to which Jesus replies, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18). Satan’s authority and power seem to have been dealt a powerful blow.
This language appears to be picked up again in Revelation 12, where Satan and his demons are described as being “thrown down” from heaven (Revelation 12:9). This is a great victory (Revelation 12:10), but also a cause for caution, “for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12). Satan’s fate is sealed and his power restrained, but he still does all he can with the time left to him.
At the cross, Satan was defeated
What we see glimpses of in the ministry of Jesus and the disciples comes to fulfillment at the cross. On the cross, Jesus declared, “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out” (John 12:31). By taking the punishment for our sins, Jesus “disarmed” the demonic powers (Colossians 2:15) in that they were stripped of any basis to accuse or threaten believers. In fact, Hebrews 2:14 goes as far as to say that “through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” This doesn’t mean Satan ceased to exist, but like saying a fighter “got destroyed,” the cross decisively defeated him and sealed his fate.
In our world today, Satan is doomed but dangerous
Satan has been thrown out of heaven, tied up, and dealt a fatal blow, but until he meets his final judgment, he’s intent on causing as much damage as he can. He blinds people from seeing the truth of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4) and disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14-15), spreading lies as if they were truth and temptation as if it were hope.
Satan not only tempts Jesus’ followers to sin (Acts 5:3), but he also harasses them with painful trials (2 Corinthians 12:7) and hinders them from carrying out God’s work (1 Thessalonians 2:18). We’re warned in 1 Peter 5:8 that “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
We don’t need to see a demon in every problem, but we do need to put on spiritual armour. Through faith, prayer, Scripture, and a gospel-grounded life of holiness, we are protected against spiritual opposition (Ephesians 6:10-17). And we have the confidence that Satan is no match for God. As James 4:7 assures us: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
In awe of Him,
Paul
