Satan's Plan for Humanity in Old and New Testaments
Satan, whose name in Hebrew means "adversary" or "accuser," is presented in both the Old and New Testaments as a spiritual entity fundamentally opposed to God and humanity [1, 2]. While the Old Testament primarily uses "satan" as a common noun for an adversary, it also employs it as a proper name or title in specific instances, such as in the books of Job and Zechariah, and in 1 Chronicles 21:1 [1]. In the New Testament, the term is used interchangeably with Diabolos, or the devil, and is frequently identified with "the dragon," "the old serpent," "the prince of this world," and "the god of this world" [2]. Across both testaments, Satan's plan for humanity consistently involves deception, temptation, and opposition to God's redemptive purposes.
The earliest biblical account of Satan's influence on humanity is found in the Genesis narrative of the Fall. Here, Satan, operating through the serpent, deceives Eve, leading both her and Adam to disobey God's command [8, 12]. This act of disobedience results in the loss of innocence, the contraction of guilt, and the introduction of sin and misery into the human experience [8]. The Genesis account also contains what is often interpreted as the first prophecy of ongoing conflict between Satan and humanity, specifically between "thy seed" (Satan's followers, both evil spirits and wicked people) and "the seed of the woman" (the Messiah or His Church) [6]. This prophecy in Genesis 3:15 foretells a perpetual enmity, where Satan would "bruise his heel" (afflict Christ's humanity), but ultimately, the seed of the woman would crush the serpent [6].
In the Old Testament, Satan's role is often that of an accuser or an instigator of evil. In Job, Satan challenges God concerning Job's faithfulness, asserting that Job serves God only because of the blessings he receives [1]. Satan is permitted to test Job, causing him immense suffering, though with divine limitations [1]. Similarly, in Zechariah 3:1, Satan is depicted standing at the right hand of the high priest Joshua, accusing him [1]. The psalmist also speaks of a "wicked man" with "Satan stand[ing] at his right hand," indicating an adversarial or accusatory role [4]. This portrayal highlights Satan's desire to undermine human integrity and relationship with God. The enemies of the righteous are sometimes described as creating "perfect plan[s] to harm the innocent," reflecting a depth of evil that can be attributed to Satan's influence [10].
The New Testament expands significantly on Satan's character and his comprehensive plan against humanity. Jesus himself identifies Satan as a personal, malevolent entity. In Matthew 16:23, Jesus rebukes Peter, saying, "Get behind me, Satan!" when Peter attempts to dissuade him from his path to suffering, indicating that Satan's influence can manifest even through well-intentioned individuals who oppose God's will [1]. Satan is explicitly called "the prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) and "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4), signifying his pervasive, though limited, rule over the present world order [2, 5]. His plan involves blinding the minds of unbelievers to prevent them from seeing the light of the gospel of Christ [2 Corinthians 4:4].
Satan's methods in the New Testament are primarily temptation and deception. He tempted Jesus in the wilderness, offering him worldly power and glory in exchange for worship, revealing his ambition to usurp divine authority [Luke 4:6]. Jesus explicitly states that the kingdoms of the world were "mine to give," indicating a temporary dominion [5]. Satan also seeks to "sift" believers "like wheat," aiming to cause them to stumble and fall from faith [3]. This "sifting" implies a process of intense testing and spiritual attack designed to separate individuals from their commitment to Christ.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on Satan's schemes, describing him as "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2) [2]. This suggests that Satan actively influences and empowers those who reject God's authority, leading them into sinful patterns of behavior. Paul warns believers to be aware of Satan's "devices" or "schemes" (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11), emphasizing the need for spiritual vigilance and resistance. The ultimate goal of these schemes is to draw people away from God and into spiritual bondage.
The book of Revelation provides a climactic vision of Satan's ongoing war against God's people and his ultimate defeat. He is depicted as "the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). This imagery connects him directly to the serpent in Genesis, highlighting the continuity of his deceptive nature throughout biblical history [8]. Revelation portrays Satan's relentless attempts to prevent the growth and flourishing of the Church, often by persecuting believers [9]. He is shown making "all-out attempt[s] to conquer God’s people," even after a period of being bound [7]. This demonstrates his unchanging nature and his persistent opposition to God's redemptive plan.
Despite his power and influence, Satan's plan is ultimately destined for failure. The prophecy in Genesis 3:15 foreshadows his defeat [6]. The New Testament consistently affirms that Christ has triumphed over Satan through his death and resurrection (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14). Revelation culminates with Satan's final demise, where he is cast into the lake of fire, signifying his eternal punishment and the complete cessation of his destructive influence [7]. This final judgment demonstrates "God’s absolute justice" and the inherent depravity of Satan and those who follow him, who "will never change" [7]. Even after witnessing Christ's reign, people still flock to Satan's standard when he is freed, underscoring the deep-seated rebellion that characterizes his followers [7]. The curse on the serpent in Genesis 3:14, to "eat dust," is understood to be a figurative representation of the "utter and perpetual degradation of Satan and his emissaries" [11].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Satan — The word itself, the Hebrew satan, is simply an "adversary," and is so used in (1 Samuel 29:4; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 6:4; 11:14,23,25; Numbers 22:22,33; Psalms 109:6) This original sense is still found in our Lord's application of the name to St. Peter in (Matthew 16:23) It is used as a proper name or title only four times in the Old Testament, vis. (with the article) in (Job 1:6; 12; 2:1; Zechariah 2:1) and without the article in (1 Chronicles 21:1) It is with the scriptural revelation on the subject that we are here concerned; and it is clear, from this si”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Satan — Adversary; accuser. When used as a proper name, the Hebrew word so rendered has the article "the adversary" (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7). In the New Testament it is used as interchangeable with Diabolos, or the devil, and is so used more than thirty times. He is also called "the dragon," "the old serpent" (Rev. 12:9; 20:2); "the prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30); "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2); "the god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4); "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Eph. 2:2). The distinct personality of Satan and h”
- Luke “Luke 22:31 (BSB) — Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 109:6 — Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 4:6: 4:6 they are mine to give: The New Testament elsewhere describes Satan’s limited rule over the present world order (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph 2:2; 1 Jn 5:19).”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:15: thy seed--not only evil spirits, but wicked men. seed of the woman--the Messiah, or His Church [CALVIN, HENGSTENBERG]. I will put enmity between thee and the woman--God can only be said to do so by leaving "the serpent and his seed to the influence of their own corruption; and by those measures which, pursued for the salvation of men, fill Satan and his angels with envy and rage." thou shalt bruise his heel--The serpent wounds the heel that crushes him; and so Satan would be permitted to afflict the humanity of Christ and bring suffering and ”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 20:7: 20:7-10 Satan’s all-out attempt to conquer God’s people is followed by his fiery demise. This passage has two major purposes: (1) to show God’s absolute justice, because Satan and his followers are worthy of punishment and will never change; and (2) to show the depravity of people who follow Satan. In spite of viewing the nature of Christ’s reign in the world for many years, they still flock to Satan’s standard when he is freed. These factors are the basis for the judgment at the great white throne (20:11-15). 20:7-8 When free to act (20:7), Satan still seeks ”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 3:7: The eyes of them both were opened - They now had a sufficient discovery of their sin and folly in disobeying the command of God; they could discern between good and evil; and what was the consequence? Confusion and shame were engendered, because innocence was lost and guilt contracted. Let us review the whole of this melancholy business, the fall and its effects. 1. From the New Testament we learn that Satan associated himself with the creature which we term the serpent, and the original the nachash, in order to seduce and ruin mankind; Co2 11:3 Rev 12:9 Rev 20:2. 2”
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 12:1: Here we see that early prophecy eminently fulfilled in which God said he would put enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, Gen 3:15. You will observe, I. The attempts of Satan and his agents to prevent the increase of the church, by devouring her offspring as soon as it was born; of this we have a very lively description in the most proper images. 1. We see how the church is represented in this vision. (1.) As a woman, the weaker part of the world, but the spouse of Christ, and the mother of the saints. (2.) As clothed with the sun, t”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 64:6: 64:6 The enemies create a perfect plan to harm the innocent without getting caught. • Human beings will sink to unthinkable depths with evil words, acts, or plans (83:3; see Jer 17:9).”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 65:25: (See on Isa 11:6). and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock--(See on Isa 11:7). and dust--rather, "but dust," &c. The curse shall remain on the serpent [HORSLEY], (Gen 3:14; Mic 7:17). "To lick the dust" is figurative of the utter and perpetual degradation of Satan and his emissaries (Isa 49:23; Psa 72:9). Satan fell self-tempted; therefore no atonement was contrived for him, as there was for man, who fell by his temptation (Jde 1:6; Joh 8:44). From his peculiar connection with the earth and man, it has been conjectured that the exciting caus”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 3 (introduction): Satan, by means of a creature here called the serpent, deceives Eve, Gen 3:1-5. Both she and Adam transgress the Divine command, and fall into sin and misery, Gen 3:6, Gen 3:7. They are summoned before God, and judged, Gen 3:8-13. The creature called the serpent is degraded and punished, Gen 3:14. The promise of redemption by the incarnation of Christ, Gen 3:15. Eve sentenced, Gen 3:16. Adam sentenced, Gen 3:17. The ground cursed, and death threatened, Gen 3:18, Gen 3:19. Why the woman was called Eve, Gen 3:20. Adam and Eve clothed with skins, Gen 3:21.”