What the Bible says about Satan

According to Christian Theology, Satan is the number one enemy of God and man. We all know the story of man’s fall in Genesis. However, there are other scriptures in the Bible that confuse the issue. For instance, once Jesus called Peter, 'Satan', by saying “Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense to me, for you are not thinking God's thoughts but human thoughts!” (Matt. 16:23) Did he mean that Peter was Satan, or that Satan was speaking through Peter? Jesus was speaking metaphorically, of course. Anyway, satan is one who opposes, obstructs, or acts as an adversary.

Let us examine some scriptures on this subject:

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’

Satan answered the Lord, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’ And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?’

Then Satan answered the Lord, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.’

And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself do not put forth your hand.’ So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.” (Job 1: 6-12)

In this story Satan appears to be one of the sons of God, who regularly present themselves before the Lord giving report about...