1. THE ADVERSARY, OR SATAN.
Zech. 3:1—"And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him." (See vv. 1-5.) 1 Pet. 5:8—"Your adversary the devil." Luke 10:18. See for use of the word: Num. 22:22. By adversary is meant one who takes a stand against another. Satan is the adversary of both God and man.
2. THE DEVIL, DIABOLOS.
Matt. 13:39—"The enemy . . . . is the devil." John 8:44—"Ye are of your father the devil." This name is ascribed to Satan 33 times at least in the New Testament, and indicates an accuser or slanderer (Rev. 12:9). He slanders God to man (Gen. 3:1-7), and man to God (Job 1:9; 2-4).
3. THE WICKED ONE.
Matt. 13:19—"Then cometh the wicked one." Matt. 6:13 (R. V.); 1 John 5:19 (R. V.). This title suggests that Satan is not only wicked himself, but is also the source of all wickedness in the world.
4. THE TEMPTER.
Matt. 4:3—"And when the tempter came to him." See Gen. 3:1-6. None escape his temptations. He is continually soliciting men to sin.
In this connection we may speak of the cunning and malignity of Satan (Gen. 3:1). Satan transforms himself into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). This phase of his work is well illustrated in the temptation of Christ (Matt. 4:1-11), and the temptation of Eve (Gen. 3). He fain would help Christ's faith, stimulate His confidence in the divine power, and furnish an incentive to worship. The Scriptures speak of the "wiles" or subtle methods of the devil (Eph. 6:11, 12). The "old serpent" is more dangerous than the "roaring lion."
Satan's subtlety is seen in tempting men in their weak moments
(Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 22:40-46); after great successes (John 6:15,
cf. vv. 1-14); by suggesting the use of right things in a wrong way
(Matt. 4:1-11); in deluding his followers by signs and wonders (2
Thess. 2:9, 10).