Your Adversary --- the Devil

1 Pet. 5:8-9 - common among all Christians.
Eph. 6:11-12 - evil and suffering go hand in hand even if not an immediate result.

Question?  Is there a supernatural being who influences for good?? - 90% of people in this country polled said "yes".
Question?  Is there a supernatural being who influences for evil???  - far fewer people believe this.  However, in the last 20 years, the numbers believing in a personal devil has increased.

The Biblical View:
#1.  His Identity - Heb./Greek = Satan - long "a"s. = adversary/enemy
without the definite article = an enemy.  With the article = The Enemy - so transliterated "Satan" with capital S.
New Testament always speaking of the person.  Old testament speaks of both an enemy and THE enemy.

#2.  His Character - seen in his names/titles:  these are descriptive of his character
           our  Adversary
           our  Enemy
           the Destroyer
           the Lawless One
           Deceiver
           Liar
          Father of Lies
          Accuser of the Brethren
          Slanderer
         Beelzebub (prince of demons)
         the Evil Spirit
         the Evil One
         Murderer
        Tempter
        Unclean Spirit
        the Lying Spirit
        the Wicked One

    the Ruler of the darkness of this world
    the Prince of the Power of the Air
   the Spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience

#3.  His beginning
was created --- holy/lead/arch? angel - Ezek. 28:11-17 - power behind the King
  - not omni . anything.  Has no eternal past - not co-equal with God (dualism)

#4.  His fall (Ezek. 28) --> Luke 10:17-18 - when his heart became proud

#5.  His purpose/intent
establish a kingdom/dethrone God/enthrone himself - Isa. 14:12-15 - power behind the king
(more than his purpose.  = his (perverted) passion!! - Luke 4:5-7)  - He has tremendous authority and power.

#6.  His destiny/fate - Matt. 25:41, Rev. 20:10 - will NOT rule in hell - will be tormented there, too.

#7.  His current state - is on leash, but very long leash.  God is still in control.
      A)  great power and authority! - as God determines to give him.  John 12:31,  2 Cor. 4:4
      B)  many minions - Rev. 12:7
      C)  great rage - Rev. 12:7-10, 12 - Rage directed at people in general and Christians in particular - Rev. 12:17.
 When we serve Christ we are in Satan's way of getting what he wants.

#8.  His methods  (wiles/strategies/devices/means)
      On one hand, these are easily discovered - wealth of material in the Bible
      However, these are easily overlooked (forgotten)
     A)  Deception  (example:  magician) - 2 Thess. 2:9-10
     B)  Seduction (looks good)  (example:  mousetrap) - 1 Tim. 4:1
    C)  Accusation ....... of God, of one another - context of 2 Cor. 2:10-11.  Satan is exceptionally good at telling brothers and sisters in Christ how bad the other is.

Must understand what we are dealing with here!!
Satan was the power behind the early Christian persecution, anti-Christ, Kings of Babylon and Tyre.influence behind powerful and evil movements/governments/institutions/leaders, etc.
Also, the power and influence behind common man/little Christians (me and you)
Example:  Jesus to Peter - "Simon, Satan has desired you"

Your defense??  Simple to understand - not to employ.  Our defeated foe is still very dangerous.  Don't give too much attention, but don't give too little attention, either.
#1.  Be Aware
#2.  Be Alert - watch
#3.  Resist - the call, the suggestion
#4.  Stand Firm - don't move
#5.  in the Faith - Rev. 12:11 - they stood firm - bodily destroyed but Satan couldn't touch their eternal state.

Your Reward - Rev. 19:11-14

1 John 5:18-21