Spirit - 2

Serpent Personifies Evil

In the Garden, the Serpent appears as the personification of evil.

I used to think evil was simple: one figure, one name—clearly defined in the Bible. But now I wonder.  Who is the real source, the real leader of darkness? Is it the Serpent, Lucifer, Satan, the Dragon -- or is it the one who appeared to Jesus in the wilderness - the Devil?

Now I believe that it is the Devil.... When they meet, Jesus does not confront  or ridicule him - saying his claims are preposterous -- he takes the Devil very seriously. 

As described in Scripture, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasts for forty days and is then tempted by the Devil.  Three temptations are laid before Jesus, each aimed at twisting truth and leveraging divine power for personal or worldly gain. Jesus resists them all by standing firmly on God’s Word.

I think it is worth it - to lay it out here... as recorded.

1. Temptation to turn stones into bread
   The Devil says: “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.”
   Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 8:3:
   “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
2. Temptation to jump from the temple
   The Devil challenges Him to leap off the pinnacle of the temple, quoting Psalm 91 to suggest angels will catch Him.
   Jesus replies with Deuteronomy 6:16:
   “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”
3. Temptation of world power
   The Devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and offers them in exchange for worship.
   Jesus declares with Deuteronomy 6:13:
   “You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.

This is the Devil in action. This is a reminder for us to take any temptation serious. 

But there are other references to this Evil - other personifications. 

If we apply the fivefold framework—Body, Mind, Heart, Spirit, and Collective—we begin to see personified evil in layers throughout Scripture.

1. The Serpent – Body
   A deceptive creature, portraying evil as something desirable. The Serpent tricks by appealing to hunger, beauty, and pride—manipulating the body’s natural desires.
2. Satan the Negotiator – Mind
   In the Book of Job, Satan appears before God, challenging Job’s loyalty. This Satan seems like a legalistic figure, negotiating suffering and testing the boundaries of the human mind.
3. Lucifer – Heart
   Referenced in Isaiah 14:12 as the “morning star” or “shining one,” Lucifer is seen as a figure who chose pride over obedience. Sin originated in his free will. His fall wasn’t just disobedience—it was betrayal of a relationship with the Creator. The heart turned away- it betrays God.
4. The Dragon – Spirit
   In Revelation, the Dragon is a cosmic power—massive, crowned, politically influential. He wages war in the heavens, is cast down, and still holds sway over the earth. This is spiritual warfare on a global scale—justice, judgment, and cosmic struggle.
5. Demons – Collective
   These minions act as agents of evil, scattered throughout the world, tempting, deceiving, and opposing God’s people. They are like foot soldiers in a much larger war. Demons can be cast out or silenced. We do have authority over these. 

Each figure tells us something different about how darkness moves: through appetite, through accusation, through betrayal, through pride, through dominion, and through countless smaller agents that show up in the most unexpected place.

The devil made me do it. - Flip Wilson