Is Satan real? Yes. But before you ask yourself “Is Satan real?”, you must first examine if you believe that Christ is real. Once you know the answer, it is obvious to see two opposing teams in the world—namely Jesus and Satan. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (inadvertently called the “Morman Church” by others) stated:
Jesus Christ represents all that is good, true, virtuous, merciful, just and godly. Lucifer is the adversary of everything that Christ stands for. He embodies all that is evil, false, immoral, and devoid of any trace of goodness or divine light. He is the enemy of God and of every human being who seeks to follow Christ (Newsroom, December 12, 2007).
This post answers the question “Is Satan real?” and how one can withstand his temptations.
Who Is Satan Really?
Satan is known as the adversary, the devil, Lucifer, Satan, Perdition, and the serpent who tempted Adam and Eve. The modern prophet Thomas S. Monson has taught that:
Lucifer, that clever pied piper, plays his lilting melody and attracts the unsuspecting away from the safety of their chosen pathway, away from the counsel of loving parents, away from the security of God’s teachings. He seeks not just the so-called refuse of humanity; he seeks all of us, including the very elect of God. King David listened, wavered, and then followed and fell. So did Cain in an earlier era and Judas Iscariot in a later one. Lucifer’s methods are cunning; his victims, numerous. We read of him in 2 Nephi: “Others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security.” “Others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell … until he grasps them with his awful chains.” “And thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.” (“The Three Rs of Choice“, Ensign, November 2010)
Is Satan really bad? Yes, Lucifer is bad because he rejected God and His plan for us. The devil wanted to take all of God’s glory and power for himself. Satan really wants us all to be as miserable as he is. Once someone understands the plan of salvation, it is easy to know the answer to the question “Is Satan real?”. One needs only glance at a newspaper to read about all the evil in the world today such as robberies, violence, and wars. Fortunately, the choice to choose good/evil is ours. Our modern prophet Thomas S. Monson taught the importance of agency or the right to choose for ourselves:
We know that we had our agency before this world was and that Lucifer attempted to take it from us. He had no confidence in the principle of agency or in us and argued for imposed salvation. He insisted that with his plan none would be lost, but he seemed not to recognize—or perhaps not to care—that in addition, none would be any wiser, any stronger, any more compassionate, or any more grateful if his plan were followed.
We who chose the Savior’s plan knew that we would be embarking on a precarious, difficult journey, for we walk the ways of the world and sin and stumble, cutting us off from our Father. But the Firstborn in the Spirit offered Himself as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of all. Through unspeakable suffering He became the great Redeemer, the Savior of all mankind, thus making possible our successful return to our Father (Thomas S. Monson, “The three Rs of choice”, Ensign, October 2010).
Is Satan real? Yes. He tempts us to disobey God and choose things that take us further away from Him. But there is also hope through Jesus Christ and one can overcome such temptations through our Savior.
How is Satan Real?
Ancient prophets in the Americas wrote in the scriptures (Introduction, The Book of Mormon) to invite us to Christ and have taught us how to recognize if Lucifer is real.
Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him (Moroni 7:12-17).
Little children seem to have an innate ability to feel or know right from wrong. Some people may consider this their conscience yet others may consider it guidance from the Holy Ghost or the Light of Christ. God has given us the Holy Ghost to guide us and help us know right from wrong. The Holy Ghost can help us recognize if something will take us closer to God or further away and towards the devil. Therefore, the Holy Ghost can answer the question “Is Satan real?” if you ask in sincerity. This can be done through prayer. Since we are all children of God, we have the right to ask Him anything. If you don’t believe me, ask for yourself and you will get an answer (most likely through the Holy Ghost).
Additional Resources:
Read another article about Satan.
Visit a local “Mormon” meetinghouse near you.
Mormon Beliefs: Is Satan really part of God’s plan?