The Devil
We must be aware and understand the nature of our adversary so that we are not caught off guard. Scripture calls him the Great Deceiver, and his mission is to pull us away from Truth. At one time, before he became our enemy, he was the most beautiful angel in Heaven. His pride got the best of him and he became jealous of God, our Heavenly Father, seeking to take glory for himself. Because of this rebellion, he was cast down to the earth along with one-third of the angels who followed him. Since then, he has set out to conquer the world because he hates God and His children. He wants to destroy the world in any way he can, using lies and manipulation to separate us from God just as he is separated from him. We must remain vigilant because he is vigilant, seeking to devour the spirits of any he can. But being vigilant does not mean we are to live in fear. He was defeated at Calvary when Jesus shed his blood for us. Through that sacrifice, we were saved from sin, death, and the power of the Devil. Let us remember that victory is ours, we already won!
Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 20:3
And cast him [the Devil] into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nation no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled…
John 8:44
…He [the Devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
2 Corinthians 2:11
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.