The Bible speaks plainly of the devil – without horns and a pitchfork, but also without downplaying him. It calls him an accuser, a liar, and a tempter. Above all, however, it tells us that Jesus has defeated him. Here you will find 22 Bible verses about the devil.
How the Bible describes the devil
Names and images for the adversary.
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For you are of the father, the devil, and according to the lust of your father you will do. He is a murderer from the beginning and is not established in the truth; for the truth is not in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own; for he is a liar and a father of lies.
John 8:44Lies
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Be sober and watch, for your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8Spiritual warfareSelf-control
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And this is no wonder; for he himself, Satan, has disguised himself as an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:14
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And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent, which is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, and was cast down to the earth, and his angels were also cast down with him. And I heard a great voice speak in heaven: Now is the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God become, and the power of his Christ, because the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accused them day and night before God.
Revelation 12:9-10
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And the serpent was more cunning than all the beasts of the field, which God the LORD had made, and spoke unto the woman: Yea, should God have said: Ye shall not eat of the fruits of the trees in the garden?
Genesis 3:1
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Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, that he might be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1Temptation
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A thief comes only that he may steal, and choke, and kill.
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In which you walked formerly according to the course of this world and according to the prince, which rules in the air, namely according to the spirit, which hath this time his work in the children of unbelief.
Ephesians 2:2
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In whom God of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that they see not the bright light of the gospel, nor the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 4:4Image of God
Jesus has defeated him
The power of the devil is limited and broken.
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He that sinneth is of the devil; for the devil sinned from the beginning. Therefore the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8Spiritual warfareJesus
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Now that the children have flesh and blood, he is become partaker of the same, that he by death might take away the power of him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.
Hebrews 2:14
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And has taken away the principalities and the powers, and has publicly shamed them, and made a triumph out of them by himself.
Colossians 2:15Spiritual warfareOvercoming
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But he said unto them: I saw Satan fall from heaven as lightning.
Luke 10:18
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Now is the judgment of the world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
John 12:31
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But the God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet in short order. The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you!
Romans 16:20Spiritual warfare
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Little children, ye are of God, and have overcome them; for he that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4Spiritual warfareOvercoming
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And the devil, which deceived them, was cast into the fiery pit and brimstone, where also the beast and the false prophet were; and they shall be tormented day and night from everlasting to everlasting.
Revelation 20:10
Resist
How Christians deal with evil.
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Submit yourselves therefore unto God. Resist the devil, and he shall flee from you.
James 4:7Spiritual warfareTemptation
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Resist him, standing fast in the faith, and know that the same sufferings are going over your brethren in the world.
1 Peter 5:9Spiritual warfare
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And resist not the evil one any ground.
Ephesians 4:27
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Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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Then Jesus said unto him: Get thee behind me, Satan! for it is written, Thou shalt worship the LORD thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Matthew 4:10TemptationWorship
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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What the Bible says about the devil
The word “devil” comes from the Greek diabolos – “slanderer”, “accuser”. The Hebrew “Satan” means “accuser”, “adversary”. Both names describe what he does: He calls God’s words into question (“Yea, should God have said?”, Genesis 3:1), accuses people and lies. Jesus calls him the “father of lies” (John 8:44). The Bible never describes him as an equal adversary to God, but as a creature whose power is limited.
No fear, but vigilance
Peter warns: “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). In the same breath, however, he also says what to do: resist, standing fast in the faith. And James promises: “Resist the devil, and he shall flee from you” (James 4:7). Christians need not fear, for “he that is in you is greater than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). More on this at Bible verses about spiritual warfare, Bible verses about temptation and Bible verses about evil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the devil according to the Bible?
The Bible describes the devil as the adversary of God and of men, as a liar (John 8:44), a tempter (Matthew 4:1) and an accuser (Revelation 12:10), whose power has been broken by Jesus (1 John 3:8).
Should you fear the devil?
No. The Bible calls for vigilance, but at the same time says that Jesus has defeated the devil and that God is greater (1 John 4:4; James 4:7).
