Satan wasn’t always Satan as we know him today. The Bible records that he was created by God as Lucifer, which means “light bearer.”
And like most names in the Bible, Lucifer’s name is very significant and very revealing. As I explore in my book, Silence Satan, it has to do with his clothing. Allow me to explain.
The Clothing of Lucifer
The Old Testament details that Lucifer was once adorned in some of the most beautiful and exquisite gems such as moonstone, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, emerald and others (Ezek. 28:12–13).
Fascinatingly, when you study these stones that covered Lucifer, most are prism-like. That is, they refract and reflect; and so their beauty is only appreciated in the presence of an external light. This explains Lucifer’s name as “light bearer.” Lucifer was created to bear God’s light—to be heaven’s instrument to reflect God’s glory and to draw worship to God.
Lucifer Becomes Satan
Eventually, however, Lucifer used this beautiful covering to bring attention to himself. “Look at my beauty and my splendor,” he boasted (Ezek. 28:17).
Soon after this, God kicked Lucifer out of His presence, and in doing so, He stripped him of his covering so that there’s no longer anything beautiful about him. But Satan still longs to be seen as glorious, which is why the Bible says that today he masquerades as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14).
The Clothing of God
Though Lucifer’s covering was surely stunning, it wasn’t the most beautiful that God had prepared. No, the Bible speaks of something much more magnificent—a robe of righteousness decked with garland and jewels (Is. 61:10). This isn’t a robe that only reflects God’s light, but a robe that’s made up of God’s light. And even more incredibly, it’s a robe that God prepared to cover whomever would later accept salvation offered by Jesus.
Do you know what this means? As a Christian, you’re covered in this robe. You’re clothed in the very source of light and righteousness—Jesus Himself (Gal. 3:27). And what’s more, this robe is so bright that it completely drowns out whatever is beneath it. Your dirty clothes with all of its holes and sin stains are no longer seen. Amazingly, covered in the beauty of His righteousness, when God looks at you, He sees purity, He sees His holiness, He sees Jesus!
A Reminder to the Devil
So I say, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it!” Declare this word of victory about yourself as often as you can: “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” (2 Cor. 5:21). A declaration like this sure to keep the devil away. Because when Satan hears you say this, it’ll give him a potent reminder of everything he isn’t and what he can never be. And he certainly won’t be able to stand being around you. {eoa}
Kyle Winkler equips people to live in victory. His mobile app, Shut Up, Devil!, is the #1 spiritual warfare app; and his recent book, Silence Satan, has helped thousands shut down the enemy’s attacks, threats, lies and accusations. Kyle holds a Master of Divinity in biblical studies from Regent University. Get daily encouragement from Kyle on Facebook and Twitter.
