God’s Love and Justice (Lesson 9) The Cosmic Conflict

A WAR BETWEEN THE CREATOR AND THE CREATURE: CAN GOD BE TRUSTED?

There is a cosmic war going on in our universe. It is a battle between Christ and Satan. This battle is centered around character. Is God fair? Can we trust Him.

Welcome back to our series on:  God’s Love and Justice.

God is love, and how we understand this affects how we relate to the world around us.

Misunderstandings of God’s love can lead to negative thoughts and feelings that can harm our relationships with Him and others.

God’s love promises to guide and lead us.

Here, we examine the origin of evil in relation to the Character of God.

Before we begin, let’s Pray.

God Almighty, open our blinded eyes that we might see and yield our faith and confidence in You our Creator and Redeemer. In Jesus, name, Amen

God’s Love and Justice

(Lesson 9)

The Cosmic Conflict

Part 1 Introduction

There is a battle happening right now.

A war that has been raging for thousands of years.

This is no ordinary war.

It is a battle between good and evil, between God and Satan.

Though we may not realize it, we are all in the middle of it. Pauser)

But here’s the good news: God has already won the victory!

He does not leave us alone in this fight.

In Genesis 3:15 God says:

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

This is God speaking to the serpent, Satan, after Adam and Eve sinned.

God promised that one day, a child would come from the woman—Jesus Christ—who would crush the head of the serpent.

Yes, Satan would hurt Jesus, but Jesus would come out victorious!

 From that moment on, the battle between good and evil became part of human history.

This is a cosmic conflict between God and the fallen celestial beings who rebelled against God.

This battle against God is a common theme throughout the Scriptures.

For instance, we see it in Matthew 13:24–30 and 37–39 (NKJV):

In the story, Jesus tells of a farmer who planted good wheat in his field.

But at night, an enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat.  

We see it in Revelation 12:7-10, which speaks of a war breaking out in heaven, revealing how the battle began.

What is also prevalent today is that many people, even some Christians, reject the idea that there is a real battle going on between God and Satan.

Satan and his angels are constantly in opposition to God.

Therefore, the theme of a cosmic conflict, in which the devil and his angels oppose the Kingdom of God, cannot be overlooked without missing much of what the biblical narratives are all about.

The Gospels are filled with references to the devil and demons who oppose God.

But the good news is, we don’t have to fight this battle alone!

Jesus has already won the war.

He has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His power to resist Satan’s tactics.

Therefore, here we address two important biblical issues:

1. Where does Scripture teach that there is a cosmic conflict between God and Satan?
2. According to Scripture, what is the nature of the conflict?

Let’s first look at how the parable of the farmer who sowed good seeds but ended up with bad seeds.

Read Matthew 13:24-27. Then continue to Part 2: An Enemy Has Done This

God’s Love and Justice

(Lesson 9)

The Cosmic Conflict

Part 2: An Enemy Has Done This

Why is there so much evil in the world? Why do bad things happen when God is good?

These are the questions people have asked for generations.

If God made everything perfect, then where did evil come from?

Jesus gives us an answer through a simple but powerful story—a story about a farmer, his field, and an enemy who tried to destroy his work.

Helping us to understand the Problem of Evil Jesus in

Matthew 13:24–27 tells the story of a farmer:

24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;

25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.

26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.

27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’

(Matthew 13:24–27)

In this parable, Jesus tells of a landowner who plants only good seeds.

But later, his workers find weeds growing among the wheat. They are confused.

They know their master planted good seeds, so they ask, “How then does it have tares?”

This is the same question people ask today: If God is good, why is there evil?

If God created a perfect world, why do we see so much pain and suffering?

In Matthew 13:28–30 and 37-40 Jesus sheds light on the nature of the conflict:

Matthew 13:28-30 says:

²⁸ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 

²⁹ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 

³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ” (Matthew 13:28-30)

Jesus answers the question directly: “An enemy has done this.”

In other words, evil did not come from God—it came from the enemy, Satan.

However, notice that Jesus’ answer in Matthew 13:28 brought on a follow-up question.

“ ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ ”

In other words, why not uproot the evil immediately?

²⁹ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 

³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ (Matthew 13:29-30)

Jesus later explains in Matthew 13:37 that He is the landlord.

³⁷ He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. (Matthew 13:37)

Matthew 13:38, he tells us that the field is the world

³⁸ The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. (Matthew 13:38).

The good seeds are God’s children

The tares (the weeds) are the people influenced by the devil.

Matthew 13:39 tells us that the enemy is Satan.

The harvest is the end of the world (Matthew 13:39).

And the reapers are God’s angels (Matthew 13:39).

Satan is the one who brought evil into God’s world.

He plants his lies, his hatred, and his evil among God’s people.

This is why we see suffering, pain, and wickedness.

But there’s something else—something we might not expect.

But, when the workers ask the master, “Do you want us to pull up the weeds?”

The master says, “No.”

Why? Because pulling up the weeds too soon might also destroy the wheat.

Many wonder, If God knows Satan is causing so much pain, why doesn’t He just remove him?

Jesus gives the answer: If God were to destroy evil immediately, it could harm the good as well.

Think about it: If God punished all sinners instantly, would any of us still be here?

If He wiped out evil today, would some people—who might have changed and turned to Him—be lost forever?

God is patient because He doesn’t want to lose even one person who still has a chance to turn to Him.

According to the parable, God will finally put an end to evil, but uprooting it too early would mean no return to that which may be good.

Similarly, Mark records in Mark 4:29 that Jesus expresses

“But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle because the harvest has come (Mark 4:29).

He is waiting until the time is right.

The day will come when He will remove evil forever.

But for now, He allows both good and evil to grow together.

Does that mean we should just ignore evil? No!

We are not called to remove the weeds, but we are called to stand firm in our faith.

We are called to resist evil but not to take God’s judgment into our own hands.

There is a danger in trying to “pull up the weeds” ourselves.

The Book Christ Object Lesson makes this point saying:

If we judge too soon, we might harm those who are still growing in faith. We might reject people who still have a chance to turn to God. Christ . . . has not committed to us the work of judging character and motive. He knows our nature too well to entrust this work to us.

Should we try to uproot from the church those whom we suppose to be counterfeit Christians, we should be sure to make mistakes. Often we regard as hopeless subjects the very ones whom Christ is drawing to Himself.

Were we to deal with these souls according to our imperfect judgment, it would perhaps extinguish their last hope.

Many who think themselves Christians will at last be found wanting. Many will be in heaven who their neighbors supposed would never enter there. Man judges from appearance, but God judges the heart. The tares and the wheat are to grow together until the harvest; and the harvest is the end of probationary time. (Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 71, 72.)

But at the same time, we must not ignore evil.

We must stand for what is right, but love those who do evil, and trust God’s plan to eliminate it once and for all.

We are to beware of indulging in a spirit of bigotry and intolerance.

We are not to stand aside from others in a spirit that seems to say, “Come not near to me, for I am holier than thou.”

We are not to shut ourselves away from our fellow human beings, but are to seek to impart to them the precious truth that has blessed our own hearts. . .

[However, we] should be firmly rooted in the conviction that whatever in any sense turns aside from truth and justice in our association and partnership with men, cannot benefit us and greatly dishonors God.—In Heavenly Places, p. 310

Does the idea that evil exists in the world mean that the world was imperfect at creation? Read Genesis 1, Genesis 3:1-7 and Revelation 12:7-9

Then, View the next segment of this video, Part 3:The Origin of the Controversy on Earth

God’s Love and Justice

(Lesson 9)

The Cosmic Conflict

Part 3: The Origin of the Controversy on Earth

If God created everything perfect, where did sin come from? These are questions people have asked for centuries.

Jesus told a story about a farmer who planted good seed, but later, his workers found weeds growing in the field.

The workers were confused. “Didn’t you plant good seed? Where did these weeds come from?”

The farmer’s answer was simple: “An enemy has done this.”

This same question applies to our world.

God created everything good, so how did evil get here?

Genesis 1:31 tells us that:
“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”

When God finished creating the world, everything was “very good.”

There was no sickness, no suffering, no death—only peace, love, and joy.

 There was no hint of evil.

So, if God created a perfect world, how did things go so wrong?

Genesis 3:1–7 explains.

 Satan, the devil disguised as a serpent, came to Eve, telling her lies and planting doubt in her mind about God’s character.

First, he lied, twisting God’s words, saying: “Has God indeed said” (Genesis 3:1).

Then, he directly challenged God’s character, saying: You will not surely die (Genesis 3:4).

Finally, he deceived Eve by making sin look good: “You will be like God knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5)

In that moment, Eve had a choice: believe God or believe the serpent.

She chose to believe the lie.

She took the fruit, ate it, and gave some to her husband, Adam, who also ate.

The temptation in the garden was primarily over what and whom to believe.

Who we trust and believe is closely tied to love.

Because our beliefs about a person’s character and trustworthiness affect whether we will love, trust, and listen to them.

Even though Adam and Eve sinned, God did not leave them without hope.

He made a promise that one day, a Savior would come to defeat Satan.

This is what Genesis 3:15 means when God says (NKJV):
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

This was God’s first prophecy about Jesus.

It was a promise despite the battle between good and evil, Satan would not win.(Pause)

This battle between Christ and Satan did not originate on earth with Adam and Eve. 

Where did it begin? Read Ezekiel 28:12–19 and Isaiah 14:12-15.Then continue to the next segment of this video, Part 4: The Origin of the Controversy in Heaven

God’s Love and Justice

(Lesson 9)

The Cosmic Conflict

Part 4: The Origin of the Controversy in Heaven

Before the fall of Adam and Eve, a battle existed between the Creator and the created.

A perfect universe, created by a loving God, was suddenly poisoned by the presence of evil.

But how did evil even enter God’s perfect universe?

Where did it come from? 

The Bible gives us answers, and it reveals a deep and tragic story.

A story of beauty, betrayal, and a battle that still rages on today. 

Before Adam and Eve disobeyed God, evil was already present.

While evil may not have been a tangible force in Eden, Genesis 2:9 and 17 indicate that the idea of “evil” existed in the name of “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Pauaw)

Genesis 2:9 says

9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9)

Genesis 2:17

17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)

God placed a special tree in the garden: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The tree itself wasn’t evil, but it represented the choice that Adam and Eve had to make: Would they trust God, or would they choose their own way?

But even before they faced that choice, there was already an enemy in the garden. 

The serpent accuses God of lying when, in reality, he, the serpent, is the one who is a liar. 

Therefore, even in Eden before the Fall, the presence of evil was evident.

Revelation 12:9 says:

9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9)

Therefore, the serpent who spoke to Eve was no ordinary snake.

He was Satan himself—the fallen angel who had already rebelled against God.

In Eden, he came disguised, twisting God’s words and calling God a liar. But the real liar was Satan. 

So, even in that perfect garden, evil was at work. 

In a perfect universe, how did such a thing happen? How did Satan come into existence?

According to Ezekiel 28:12–19, the origin of evil and the cosmic conflict between good and evil began in heaven with Lucifer.

Before his fall, the being known as Satan was a covering cherub.

More than merely being identified as this cherub, he was described as “the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty” and existed ‘in Eden, the garden of God.”

Ezekiel 28:12–13 says:

12 “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. (Ezekiel 28:12–13)

13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. (Ezekiel 28:12-13)

So, before he became Satan, he was Lucifer a beautiful angel, full of wisdom, covered in splendor.

He was perfect, created by God to serve in heaven.

 Ezekiel 28:14 says: 

“You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.”  (Ezekiel 28:14)

Lucifer was not just any angel. He was a covering cherub, a position of great honor.

In the earthly sanctuary, cherubim covered the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant as indicated in  (Exodus 25:19, 20).

In heaven, Lucifer had stood near the very throne of God! 

But something went terribly wrong. 

Ezekiel 28:15 says: 

¹⁵ You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. (Ezekiel 28:15)

Lucifer was created “perfect”. He had no flaws, no evil in him.

But he also had something very important—”free will.” 

And with that free will, he made a terrible choice. 

We find in Isaiah 14, that Lucifer decided to exalt himself and make himself like God.

Isaiah 14:12-15 says

¹² “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 

¹³ For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 

¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ (Isaiah 14:12-14) (Pauser)

It says in Ezekiel 28:17: 

“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.” (Ezekiel 28:17)

Lucifer’s beauty should have made him worship God. Instead, it made him prideful.

He looked at himself instead of looking at God.

He became jealous, wanting more than what he was given. 

What’s Worse, in this pride, he set out to take God’s place and to slander Him.

Ezekiel 28:16 says

¹⁶ “By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones. (Ezekiel 28:16)

In Ezekiel 28:16, the Hebrew word for “trading” also suggests “slander,” revealing Satan’s actions against both God and humanity.

Lucifer was not content being near God—he wanted to be God.

He wanted to take the throne for himself. 

But no created being can ever take the place of the Creator. 

Because of his rebellion, Lucifer was cast out of heaven.

But he didn’t leave alone—he convinced other angels to follow him.

And from that moment, the battle between good and evil began.

Some may ask, how could Lucifer fall if he was perfect? 

The answer is true perfection includes freedom. 

Ezekiel 28:15 says 

“You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.”  (Ezekiel 28:15)

God does not create robots.

He does not force love or obedience.

Lucifer had the freedom to choose, and he chose to rebel. 

This same freedom was given to Adam and Eve.

And just as Lucifer was cast out of heaven, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden when they chose to listen to Satan instead of God. 

From that moment, the world changed.

Suffering, sickness, and death entered.

The battle between good and evil was no longer just in heaven—it was now here on earth. (Pauere)

This war between God and Satan is real.

It began in heaven, spread to earth, and continues to this day.

Satan still tries to deceive, just as he did in Eden.

He still wants people to doubt God and to turn away from Him.  Why?

Read Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4

Then, continue to the next segment of this video, Part 5: If You Worship Me

God’s Love and Justice

(Lesson 9)

The Cosmic Conflict

Part 5: If You Worship Me

From the beginning, Satan has been trying to take God’s place.

He wasn’t satisfied with being a powerful angel—he wanted to be worshiped.

And he didn’t stop with his rebellion in heaven.

He brought the fight to earth, even daring to challenge Jesus Himself.

The battle between good and evil isn’t just a story—it’s a reality.

And in one of the most dramatic moments in history, Satan stood face to face with Jesus, trying to turn Him away from His mission.

Satan’s attempt to seize God’s throne is evident in the temptation story of Christ found in Matthew 4 and Luke 4.

This compelling interaction between Jesus and the tempter reveals much about the essence of this conflict.

We observe the true nature of the significant controversy between Christ and Satan, potrayed in clear and vivid terms.

Matthew 4:1 says:

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”

Right after Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness. It wasn’t an accident—Jesus was meant to face this battle.

Matthew 4:2 (NKJV):

“And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.”

So, for forty days, Jesus ate nothing. He was weak, tired, and hungry. And that’s when Satan came.

Satan always looks for the perfect time to attack—when we are weak, tired, and vulnerable.

First Temptation: Turning Stones into Bread

Matthew 4:3 (NKJV):

“Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’”

Satan tried to use Jesus’ hunger against Him.

He challenged Jesus to prove He was the Son of God by turning stones into bread.

But Jesus didn’t fall for the trap.

Matthew 4:4 says:

“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”’” (Matthew 4:4)

Jesus refused to use His power selfishly.

Instead, He trusted God to provide.

Second Temptation: Testing God’s Protection

Matthew 4:5–6

“Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: “He shall give His angels charge over you,” and, “In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”’” (Matthew 4:5–6)

This time, Satan quoted Scripture—but twisted its meaning. He attempted to get Jesus to act presumptuously.

Satan twisted Scripture to suggest that if Jesus were truly the Son of God, angels would protect Him.

He wanted Jesus to test God, by forcing Him to send angels to save Him.

But Jesus knew better; with Scripture quoted correctly, He once more countered the temptation.

Matthew 4:7

“Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.”’” (Matthew 4:7)

Faith is found in trusting God, not testing Him.

Third Temptation: Worshiping Satan

Matthew 4:8–9:

8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8–9) (Pauee)

Now Satan revealed his true colors. He wanted Jesus to worship him. He offered Jesus power, riches, and glory.

But Jesus came to do His Father’s will, not Satan’s.

Matthew 4:10 says:

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”’” (Matthew 4:10)

Similarly, in a text that parallels Matthew, Luke 4:6 showing Satan’s attempt to claim God’s authority says,

⁶ And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. (Luke 4:6)

But with one command, Jesus rejected Satan.

Luke 4:8

⁸ And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ (Luke 4:8)

It says in Matthew 4:11:

“Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” (Matthew 4:11)

The battle was over. Satan lost. Jesus had won.

Satan’s final temptation revealed his real goal.

He wanted to take God’s place.

This is evident in Luke 4:6 in which Satan claimed he controlled the world.

But it was a lie. He had stolen his influence through deception.

Even today, Satan tempts people with the same things:

Physical needs – telling us to satisfy our desires in the wrong way.

Doubt – twisting God’s Word to confuse us.

Power and riches – offering the world in exchange for our loyalty.

But just like Jesus, we don’t have to fall for Satan’s tricks.

In every temptation, Jesus used Scripture.

He didn’t argue.

He didn’t negotiate.

He simply said, “It is written.”

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wicked in high places:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

In other words,

Our battle isn’t against people—it’s against spiritual forces of evil. The enemy is real. He is fighting for our souls. But we don’t need to fear him.

For Jesus faced Satan and won. And because of Him, we can win, too.

The devil will keep trying to deceive us.

He will attack when we are weak, whisper doubts, and offer false promises.

But we have the same weapon Jesus used—the Word of God.

We must stand firm, trust God, and never give in to the enemy’s lies.

Down through the ages, Satan’s strategy has been the same.

He has not changed. What is his strategy?

Read John 8:44-45 and Revelation 12:7-9.

Then, continue to the next segment of this video, Part 6: The Nature of the Cosmic Conflict

God’s Love and Justice

(Lesson 9)

The Cosmic Conflict

Part 6: The Nature of the Cosmic Conflict

We have seen throughout Scripture that a battle is raging—a war between God and Satan.

But how is this even possible? How could a created being stand against the all-powerful God?

If this war were simply about power, it would have ended before it even started. 

But this conflict is not about power—it is about character.

It is about trust.

Satan has been spreading lies about God, trying to turn people away from Him.

And God, in His wisdom, does not crush rebellion with force. Instead, He allows the truth to speak for itself. (Pauer)

Satan’s rebellion did not begin with the lie to Eve. 

Scripture reveals that the conflict between God and Satan centers around a dispute regarding God’s character—specifically, slanderous allegations raised by the devil against Him, claiming that He is not entirely good and loving.

Such claims cannot be countered by power or physical force but must be addressed through a comparison of the two competing characters.

Ellen G. White in The Great Controversy explains:

“In His dealing with sin, God could employ only righteousness and truth. Satan could use what God could not—flattery and deceit. He had sought to falsify the word of God and had misrepresented His plan of government before the angels, claiming that God was not just in laying laws and rules upon the inhabitants of heaven; that in requiring submission and obedience from His creatures, He was seeking merely the exaltation of Himself. Therefore it must be demonstrated before the inhabitants of heaven, as well as of all the worlds, that God’s government was just, His law perfect. Satan had made it appear that he himself was seeking to promote the good of the universe. The true character of the usurper, and his real object, must be understood by all. He must have time to manifest himself by his wicked works.” (Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 498) 

Satan accused God of being unjust, claiming that God’s laws were about control, not love.

He made it seem as if he was the one fighting for freedom when, in reality, he was the one leading others into bondage. 

And God has allowed time to reveal the truth—so that the whole universe can see Satan for who he really is.

Jesus Himself told us the truth about Satan’s nature in John 8:44–45 when he calls the devil out as a liar and murderer and the father of lies.

⁴⁴ You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 

⁴⁵ But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. (John 8:44-45)

The devil’s plan from the beginning has been to deceive the creatures God created into believing that God is neither just nor loving, and that His law is oppressive and harmful to them.

From the start, Satan has been a liar. His strategy has always been deception. He twists God’s words, questions God’s goodness, and accuses God’s people. 

Jesus, however, came to expose the lies and testify to the truth. 

In John 18:37 He explains:

For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37)

Jesus’ mission was to counter the lies that Satan had spread.

His life, death, and resurrection showed the truth about God’s love. 

And in the end, Jesus will destroy Satan completely. 

1 John 3:8 says:

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)

Hebrews 2:14 says: 

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.”  (Hebrews 2:14)

But, Satan’s power is temporary. Jesus has already defeated him at the cross.

And soon, Satan and all his lies will be destroyed forever.

Satan’s rebellion did not start on Earth. It started in heaven.  Revelation 12:7–9 says: 

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:7-9) 

Satan loss his place in heaven and was thrown down to earth. But even here, he continues his mission to deceive and accuse. 

Revelation 12:10 says

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.’”  (Revelation 12:10)

Satan is: 

1 The “serpent of old” – The same deceiver who tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. 

2. He is the accuser of God’s people – He constantly tries to bring charges against those who follow God. 

3. He is the dragon who deceives the world – His weapon is lies, and he uses them to pull people away from God. 

Even the name “devil” means “slanderer or accuser.” This shows that the real battle is not about force—it is about beliefs.

It is about trusting God’s character or believing Satan’s lie. 

The war between God and Satan is not about power—it is about trust. 

Satan a created being lied about God’s character. The one who created him.

This created being claimed God’s laws were unfair. He twisted the truth to make it seem as if he was fighting for freedom. 

But Jesus the Creator came to show the truth.

Through His life, His love, and His sacrifice, He proved that God is good. 

Even now, the battle is still going on.

Satan, the creature, continues to spread lies. But we don’t have to be deceived! 

It is our duty to choose: 

Will we believe Satan’s lies? 

Or will we trust the God who created us and gave His life to save us?

The war will soon be over. Jesus has already won the victory.

 And those who stand with Him will share in that victory forever!

Don’t believe Satan’s lies; put your trust in God.

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