Personality of the Devil by Western Christian Advocate

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 19, 1862

Personality of the Devil.

By Western Christian Advocate

That there is a principle, thing, or being, called the devil, is undisputed; also, that the nature thereof is evil. Reason and Scripture determine the personal existence, or personality of the devil. We first adduce a few reasons outside of Scripture.

1. This is the general belief of all ages and nations. The name, history, and destiny are somewhat diverse in the various creeds, but all recognize a personal antagonist to the Good Being.

2. Many have professed a consciousness of the communication of the soul with a something outside of self and opposed to God. This internal recognition of a personal, spiritual struggle with an evil being, is as clear to many as the knowledge of a physical struggle.

3. The prolonged, extensive, systematic plans for evil, prove the oneness of their author.

4. Some of the wonderful feats of magic, spiritualism, etc., can be explained only upon the supposition of the assistance of an unseen evil agent.

But our chief reliance is upon revelation. From this every mark which characterizes the personal identity of any being, can be shown to prove that of the devil.

1. Names are given him, which denote a person exercising will and influence: Tempter, an active agent; Satan, Devil, Abaddon, Apollyon, Great Serpent, roaring lion, liar, father of the lusts of men, etc.

2. He has the power of speech. He spoke to Christ, to Job, to Eve.

3. He was personally addressed three times during the temptation of Christ. See, also, the cases of the demoniacs, and Job, and the serpent in the garden of Eden.

4. He exercised, in some real sense, a power over the body of Christ. He "took him into the holy city," "set him on the pinnacle of the temple," took him up into an exceeding high mountain," etc. He had power over Job and others.

5. He has the power of reason. He presented arguments.

6. He has memory. He quoted Scripture.

7. He possesses desires. He is proud—wishes to receive worship.

8. He has power to act of himself. He is frequently said to come and go at his own pleasure.

9. He had two dwelling places. He, with others, left his own habitation, and is now "in darkness." "God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them to hell."

10. He is responsible for his acts, for he is "reserved unto judgment."

This can be no evil principle, for the above reasons, and because Christ, who was tempted by him, had no evil principle. No explanation can do away with the inevitable conclusion that this is the devil—the arch-enemy of our souls—"who walketh about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."—Western Christian Advocate.