Influence of Satan on Human Thought and Behavior
Satan, whose name means "adversary" or "accuser" in Hebrew, is depicted in biblical texts as a spiritual being who influences human thought and behavior [1, 3]. While the Hebrew term satan can refer to any adversary, as seen in passages like 1 Samuel 29:4 or Numbers 22:22, it is used as a proper name for a specific spiritual entity only a few times in the Old Testament, such as in Job 1:6 and Zechariah 3:1 [1]. In the New Testament, "Satan" is frequently used interchangeably with "Diabolos" or "the devil," appearing over thirty times [3].
The Bible attributes various titles to Satan that highlight his influence, including "the dragon," "the old serpent" (Revelation 12:9; 20:2), "the prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30), "the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2), and "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) [3]. These titles suggest a pervasive influence over both spiritual realms and human society.
One of the earliest accounts of Satan's influence is found in the temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden. The New Testament identifies the serpent in Genesis 3 with Satan [7]. John Calvin notes that God allowed Satan to use an animal, the serpent, to deceive humanity, thereby arming an enemy for man's destruction [9]. This act led to the opening of Adam and Eve's eyes to their sin and folly, resulting in confusion and shame due to lost innocence and contracted guilt [7].
Satan's influence extends to actively hindering spiritual growth and understanding. In the parable of the sower, Jesus explains that when the word of God is sown, "Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them" (Mark 4:15) [5]. This suggests a direct intervention to prevent individuals from receiving and retaining divine truth. The Apostle Paul also describes Satan as "the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2), indicating an ongoing influence on those who resist God [3]. This perspective suggests that human sin often stems from being governed by the devil, who rules both evil spiritual powers and disobedient human beings [11].
Beyond direct temptation, Satan can also influence human thought by distorting priorities. Jesus rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men" (Mark 8:33) [6]. Here, Jesus uses the term "Satan" to describe Peter's adversarial stance against God's will, even if Peter was not consciously acting on behalf of the devil. This illustrates how human thoughts can align with adversarial purposes, even unintentionally.
The Bible also portrays Satan as an accuser and an instigator of suffering. In the book of Job, Satan is depicted as presenting himself before God and receiving permission to afflict Job with painful sores (Job 2:7) [2]. This narrative highlights Satan's role in bringing about physical and emotional distress. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, describes some evil individuals as acting "like Satan," doing mischief through force and violence, and devising "froward things" to harm their neighbors [12]. This suggests that human malice can mirror the destructive intent attributed to Satan.
The influence of Satan is not always overt. Sin can affect human actions and thoughts, leading to an "unsound mind" where individuals can no longer use their minds as God intended, a serious consequence of turning away from God [10]. This implies a more subtle, pervasive corruption of human faculties under the sway of evil. However, the New Testament also affirms that Satan's power is not absolute. Jesus states that "If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can’t stand, but has an end" (Mark 3:26), implying a limit to his dominion and an ultimate defeat [4]. The "seed of the woman," identified with the Messiah or His Church, is prophesied to bruise the serpent's head, though the serpent would bruise His heel, signifying Satan's temporary ability to inflict suffering [8].
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”
- Job “So Satan went out from the presence of Yahweh, and struck Job with painful sores from the sole of his foot to his head. -- Job 2:7”
- 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”
- Mark “If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can’t stand, but has an end. -- Mark 3:26”
- Mark “Mark 4:15 (BSB) — Some are like the seeds along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.”
- Mark “But he, turning around, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men.” -- Mark 8:33”
- 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”
- 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 ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 7.8: this occasion, allowed Satan the use of an animal 156 156 “ Mesme il luy a preste le serpent .” — French Tr. which otherwise would never have obeyed him; and what else was this, than to arm an enemy for the destruction of man? This seems to have been the ground on which the Manichaeans maintained the existence of two principles. 157 157 On the intricate subject of Manichaeism, and its various cognate heresies, the reader may refer to the Bampton Lectures of the late Dr. Burton, who, with incredible erudition and industry, has searc”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:28: 1:28 thought it foolish: Sin affects our actions and even our thoughts. One of the serious consequences of turning away from God is an unsound mind; people can no longer use their minds as God intended.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:2: 2:2 Human sin results from our being governed by the devil, the spirit who rules both the powers of evil in the spiritual realm (see 1:21; 6:11-12; cp. Col 1:13) and human beings who refuse to obey God (2 Cor 4:4; contrast Rom 8:2-14; Gal 5:22-23).”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 16:29: Here is another sort of evil men described to us, that we may neither do like them, nor have any thing to do with them. 1. Such as (like Satan) do all the mischief they can by force and violence, as roaring lions, and not only by fraud and insinuation, as subtle serpents: They are violent men, that do all by rapine and oppression, that shut their eyes, meditating with the closest intention and application of mind to devise froward things, to contrive how they may do the greatest mischief to their neighbour, to do it effectually and yet securely to themselves; a”