Bible Question:
I was watching a movie the other day where a man was committed to a mental hospital. He claimed to be Satan and during his talks with the doctor, the doctor asked him “Do you hate God? ” Then the man hung his head, shed a tear and replied, “I didn't say that. ” So do you think Satan loves God but hates man?
Bible Answer:
Sometime after Satan was created, he wanted to be like God and he instigated a rebellion against God. He was defeated along with a host of other angels. Since then, Satan has been at war with God and has hated God and humans. Scripture reveals his attitude. Rather than directing people to God as the source of truth, he camouflages himself as one who reveals truth.
No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Cor 11:14 (NAS95S)
Satan’s hatred of God is revealed in Luke 22:3-6 when he entered Judas Iscariot and motivated him to betray Jesus to the Jewish leaders. Satan wanted to murder Jesus.
And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd. Luke 22:3-6 (NAS95S)
1 Timothy 5:14-15 also reveals that there is a raging conflict between God and Satan. Satan thought that he was successful when Jesus’ physical body was dead, but he (Satan) did not realize that he had actually been defeated. That is the message of Hebrews 2:14.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil . . . Heb 2:14 (NAS95S)
1 John 3:8 tells us that the devil has sinned from the beginning and that Jesus destroyed the works of the devil.
. . . for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 (NAS95S)
Also, 1 John 3:10 reveals that those who follow the devil hate other people. Those who hate others also hate God according to 1 John 4:20.
By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10 (NAS95S)
Finally, 1 John 5:3 reveals that anyone who does not obey God does not love God. Since Satan does not willingly obey, he does not love God.
Conclusion:
The question that we must ask ourselves is, “Do we love God?” The truthfulness of your answer is revealed by your life – whether you live in obedience to God or not.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments . . . 1 John 5:3 (NAS95S)
Do you love God? The ultimate answer is revealed in your response to the following passage:
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 1 John 3:23 (NAS95S)
Suggested Links:
Why or how did the angels (Satan) become evil?Angels - Good & Evil
Searching For God