Where Did the Devil Come From?
Q: Where did the devil come from, according to the Bible? I remember hearing somewhere that at first he was an angel and served God, but then he rebelled and became evil. Is this true? Why would he do that? — Mrs. M.C.
A: Although the Bible doesn't go into detail about the devil's origin, it does indicate that he was an angel who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven as a result: "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" (Isaiah 14:12, KJV).
Why did he rebel against God? The reason can be summarized in one word: pride. He became jealous of God's position, and in his pride he decided to lead a revolution and take God's place: "You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven. ... I will make myself like the Most High'" (Isaiah 14:13-14). He failed — but his goal is still the same: to take God's place.
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You need to remember two important truths about Satan. First, he is real, and he is powerful. Don't make the mistake of thinking he is a cute little cartoon figure with a red suit and a pitchfork — for he isn't. He is completely evil, and his goal is to block God's work in our lives. The Bible says he is "like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
But the second thing you need to remember is that the devil is a defeated foe! By His death and resurrection Jesus Christ conquered sin and death and Hell — and someday Christ will come again to pronounce judgment on Satan and his followers. On whose side are you — Christ's or Satan's? Don't give in to the devil's lies, but commit your life to Christ and become His follower.
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Affectionately known as the "World's Preacher" for more than 60 years, the Rev. Billy Graham is one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. He has been a friend and spiritual advisor to ten American presidents and has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history — nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories — through various meetings. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
