Satan, as deceiver

Satan's character is deceitful, devious and cunning as in a variety of guises he seeks to influence people for his own ends.

Satan's deceitful character

He is evil

Matthew 6:13 See also Matthew 5:37, Matthew 13:19; John 17:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 John 2:13–14, 1 John 3:8, 1 John 3:12, 1 John 5:18

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

He is a liar

John 8:44 See also Genesis 3:4–5; Job 1:11, Job 2:5; Revelation 3:9

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

He is devious

2 Corinthians 11:14 See also 2 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

He is scheming

Ephesians 6:11 See also 2 Corinthians 2:10–11

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

He is a slanderer

Job 1:9–11 See also 1 Timothy 5:14–15; Revelation 2:9

Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not placed a hedge on every side around him and his household and all that he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out Your hand and strike all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”

Satan's deceitful work

He deceives individuals

1 Timothy 2:14 Eve was deceived by Satan the serpent. See also Daniel 8:25; 2 Timothy 3:13; Revelation 12:9, Revelation 20:3, Revelation 20:10

And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who was deceived and fell into transgression.

He works counterfeit miracles

2 Thessalonians 2:9–10 See also Exodus 7:11–12, Exodus 7:22; Deuteronomy 13:1–2; Matthew 24:24 parallel Mark 13:22; Revelation 13:13–14, Revelation 19:20

The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.

He appoints false prophets

Matthew 7:15 See also Deuteronomy 13:5; Jeremiah 23:26, Jeremiah 28:15, Jeremiah 29:21; Ezekiel 13:6–10; 2 Peter 2:1–3, 2 Peter 2:18–19

Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

He misuses Scripture

Matthew 4:6 parallel Luke 4:10

He blinds unbelievers

2 Corinthians 4:4

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.