In order to defeat your enemy you must know as much as you can about him.
This is one of the most common rules of war. This is why secular armies engage
in reconnaissance and intelligence work. Reconnaissance is the art of discovering
the strengths, weaknesses, plans and location of the enemy. Without this you
cannot even start your war.
One of the ways by which we can know our enemy is to do a quick analysis of
his names and titles. After all, a name speaks volumes about a person.
Study the following names or titles of Satan and you will know what you are
dealing with.
1. Devil
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a
DEVIL?
John 6:70
The word devil comes from the Greek word diabolos. This is where the English
word diabolical comes from. Diabolos reveals the essential nature of this evil
being. It means to be inhumanly cruel or wicked. It also means to be outrageous
or disgracefully bad.
2. Satan
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves
before the Lord, and SATAN came also among them.
Job 1:6
This comes from a Hebrew word Satan, which literally means adversary. It
speaks of being diabolical orhellish. This name was first used in the book of Job. It
described a very wicked being who murdered the entire household of Job and
destroyed his business.
Satan is the archenemy of both God and man. In this interesting passage,
Satan is spoken of as a real person who seemed to have access to Heaven. He
also seemed to have power to accuse the brethren and to seek their destruction.
3. Accuser of the brethren
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and
strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the
ACCUSER OF OUR BRETHREN is cast down, which accused them before
our God day and night.
Revelation 12:10
This title explains the relentless accusations and slander that are hurled
against God’s servants.
4. Adversary
Be sober, be vigilant; because your ADVERSARY the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5:8
This name reveals the antagonistic nature of Satan as he fights against
everything we do. No wonder there is such resistance, hostility and unfriendliness
to the Gospel. Satan’s agents, the unbelievers, are often in tune with the spirit of
opposition to the church and its leaders. Many nations have laws that are hostile
to the establishment of churches.
Even though churches have brought so much health and educational benefits
to nations, political leaders have no choice but to oppose the church.