Satan Has a Solid Doctrinal Statement

Many churches believe that it is important to have a solid doctrinal statement of faith. I also believe that it is important. It is one of the main things that you need to believe in order to be a member of a particular denomination. Usually if you don’t agree with the doctrinal statement of a particular denomination or group, you cannot become a member. But what is equally important is to act on those beliefs, and what you do determines what you believe.

But, did you know that Satan and demons also have a solid doctrinal statement as well? Yes, they do. They have many of the same beliefs as members of good solid Christian churches. Let’s take a look at some of those.

Satan believes Jesus is the Son of God

Satan and His demons believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Probably the most important of the doctrinal statements, and Satan passes the test.

When Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil, Satan questions Jesus twice by asking Him, “If you are the Son of God…” (Luke 4:3, 9) I believe that he knew Jesus was the Son of God.

In Mark 5, the demons, Legion, addressed Jesus as the Son of God.

"And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." (Mark 5:7) 

Satan believes God in the Holy Trinity

The Bible does not explicitly say whether or not Satan knows about the Trinity, that God is made up of three separate and unique persons: the Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. But, he seeks to counterfeit and deny the true nature of God by promoting false teachings and distortions of the character and work of God. He may seek to lead people away from the truth of the Trinity by promoting false gods or advocating for alternative views of God’s nature.

Satan believes Jesus is the Savior of mankind

The Bible doesn’t eplicitly say whether Satan knows that Jesus is the Savior of mankind, but there is much evidence that he does. In Matthew 4:1-11, Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness and acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God. It is also written in Revelation 1:18, “I am He [Jesus] who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” So, whether or not Satan knew the plan of the Father for His Son to be the savior of mankind then at Jesus’ crucifixion, he most certainly knows now.

Satan believes God Created Everything

Satan knows God created everything in six litteral days because the Bible says he was. We see this clue in the book of Job.

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements -- surely you know!
Or who stretched out the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk, 
or who laid its cornerstone, 

when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7 ESV)

The morning stars and the sons of God throughout the Bible are angels. Since Satan is a fallen angel, created by God, that puts him at the creation of the world. So, not only does he believe God created everything, he was present and an eyewitness to the event itself!

Satan and the demons tremble before God

James 2:19 says, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble.” So, not only does Satan and his demons believe that there is one God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, they also tremble before Him, and rightly so. Something we as humans don’t even do, probably because we cannot see the spiritual side of what is going on around us.

Of those who do not repent and put their trust and faith in Christ will be cursed and cast into the lake of fire that is prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). They know what their end will be on that day. This end was already prepared for them long ago.

Satan believes that the Bible is God’s Word

With that, Satan also believes that the Bible is the Word of God. Yes, the Bible is the most popular book of all time, but it is also the most suppressed as well. The Bible is not welcome at schools, places of business, and in the government. The Bible is restricted in many countries, and if found on person, that person has a very steep fine, imprisonment, and even death.

Satan believes what the church is: the body of Christ

In Matthew 16, much is revealed as to the purpose and plans of Jesus and His church. In verse 13 Jesus asks His disciples who men say that He is. They said, “Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Then Jesus asks in verse 14, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It is amazing that the Father was working on Peter and revealed these things to him.

Jesus then tells Peter that on the rock of this faith, Jesus will build His church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Then, in the same chapter, as Jesus predicts His death and resurrection, Peter takes Jesus aside and discourages him from going to Jerusalem and being crucified. Jesus rebukes him and says, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” In one breath, Peter was honored for speaking truth, in the next breath, he was rebuked for hearing lies. Satan was at work.

No doubt that Satan believes in the work of the Church. Since he cannot stop Christ at all, the only thing he can do is constantly and consistently try to thwart the work of the church. This is the hands, feet, and body of Christ, in which Jesus uses to proclaim the gospel and announce the kingdom of God to those who don’t believe. In the devil’s eyes, the only thing he can attempt to do is (1) stop the church from proclaiming it, and (2) prevent sinners from hearing it.

Which brings us to the final thought.

So, if Satan believes all these things what is the one thing he lacks?

So by these doctrinal standards and mission statements of many churches across america, Satan could be gladly welcomed as a member, right? No. He lacks one thing. He does not follow Christ, but is disobedient, malevolent, and many other things we’d rather not mention.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.: (Matthew 16:24-27 NKJV)

We are to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. Satan was in the presence of God since his creation. He then for reasons unknown wanted God’s glory for himself, and convinced a third of the other angels to leave the presence of God and follow him instead. It seems unthinkable doesn’t it?

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

I will, I will, I will, I will, I will.

What about us?

According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the chief end of man is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever (1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 11:36; Psalms 73:25-28). The purpose of the church is to be the hands and feet of Christ. To be ambassadors of Him pleading and imploring people to be reconcilled to God and share the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:19-20). Here are some things to think about:

1. So why is it that church members can opt out of certain things that Jesus commanded His church to do like share the gospel (Mark 16:15) and make disciples (Matthew 28:19) and still think that it’s ok? If we are disobeying in these areas, aren’t we in some ways, following Satan?
2. What are some doctrinal statments you think should be added to those of churches to make it clearer who are followers of Christ and not followers of Satan? Would “regularly share the gospel” be one of them?
3. To you, what does it mean to follow Christ?

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