Satan Is Real

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Leading the Way

God wants us to have a realistic and balanced view of Satan and his influence. The Bible clearly teaches that Satan and his demons are real, that this present world is a battlefield where unseen, immensely powerful forces wage war against our souls. But—

Satan is not omnipotent. Only God is.

Satan is not omnipresent. Only God is.

Satan is not omniscient. Only God is.

Job 1 teaches that Satan is a person; he actually comes before God and singles out Job, and he argues his case before God. Luke 4 also describes Satan as a person. There Satan finds Jesus in the wilderness, weak from hunger, and he proceeds to debate Jesus, hoping to tempt Jesus into sin.

The Bible also tells us that Satan is constantly scheming against believers. “Put on the full armor of God,” Paul warns in Ephesians 6:11, “so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” And elsewhere Paul adds that we should live upright lives, continually practicing Christlike forgiveness, “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11; see also 1 Thessalonians 3:5 and 2 Timothy 2:26). In Matthew 4:6, we see that Satan has a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures—and he twists the Scriptures to achieve his own evil ends.

If you have fallen under the spell of the spirit of this age, and you choose to believe that Satan is nothing but a metaphor or a symbol, then I must warn you that you are violating both the spirit and the letter of God’s Word. The Scriptures do not portray Satan as anything other than a real and literal spiritual adversary and destroyer. He is invisible yet powerful. He has intelligence, volition, and a will of his own—and his will is to use human beings to thwart the will of God (if that were possible). He is the source of all that is evil in the world.

Victory over Satan is not achieved through willpower. Victory is achieved through Truth-power—the power of the Word of God. It is the power and Truth of Scripture that exposes Satan and his deceitful schemes. The only solution to the lies of Satan is to expose them to the bright sunlight of God’s Truth.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your Word that gives me Truth-power to defeat the lies of Satan. May I trust it and know it well, remembering You are greater and that the victory is sure and secure in Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me” (John 14:30-31).

*Excerpt adapted from Fearless Living in Troubled Times by Michael Youssef © 2017. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. Used by permission.

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series Until Christ Returns: Living Confidently in Turbulent Times: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.

More Posts by Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.:

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  2. Praying the Will of God
  3. He Can Open Your Eyes
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