Is Satan equal to Jesus? Many people assume he is the opposite force of Christ—but Scripture tells a very different story. Terrence Harris reminds us why Satan and Jesus are not equally matched enemies.
My heart goes out to people who believe Satan is the equal opposite of Jesus Christ.
He is not.
Is Satan Equal to Jesus? Satan Is Created, Not Equal to God.
Many people still ask, “Is Satan equal to Jesus?” especially when influenced by media portrayals of Satan and demons having their way with people.
The Lord God created Lucifer along with all the angels in heaven.{1} Contrary to popular belief and culture, the artist holds deference over the artwork, just as the potter commands deference over the clay.
Satan Fell Through Pride, Not Power.
God changed Lucifer’s title to Satan (which means adversary) through his own pride, when he opposed God with the very gifts God gave him. Satan was so impressed with his own beauty and wisdom, I guess in his mind that made him a qualifying contender for God’s throne.{2} But obviously (well, not as obvious to demons, apparently), Satan would never match the eternal power of the Almighty Living God.
Is Satan Equal to Jesus? Satan Is Already Defeated and Limited.
A third of the angels followed him in his rebellion, while two-thirds remained loyal to the Lord.{3}
The Lord stripped Lucifer of his glory, along with the other rebel angels, and threw them out of heaven down to the earth.{4} Satan caused many other angels to fall with him, who also chose to rebel against God. Since then, Satan and his demons have wreaked havoc on humanity, but that does not mean victory for our enemy.
The media often portrays Satan and demons (known as fallen angels) as having more authority and power than they truly possess. Movies tend to show a priest fidgeting with a cross and holy water, facing a demon-possessed person who boldly declares, “You have no authority over me.” To that point, scripture actually gives a similar example of contending against the demonic realm in vain.
In Acts 19:13–16, the sons of Sceva tried to cast out demons “in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches.” This phrase alone communicates a lack of intimacy that these traveling Jewish exorcists had with Jesus Christ. The Bible says the demon replied, “Jesus, I know, and Paul, I know, but who are you?” Then the possessed man overpowered them, beating them and sending them away naked and wounded.”
This brings us to the fourth critical point regarding the topic, “Is Satan Equal to Jesus?”
Knowing About Jesus ≠ Knowing Jesus.
Take note of this important reminder: It’s not enough to just know about Jesus; Satan and his demons know about Jesus. Satan and demons can read the Bible, too. Satan tempted Jesus with a Bible verse in the wilderness, one that many Christians may not even know where to find. However, the true authority is in knowing Jesus and Jesus knowing you. Knowing Christ—instead of just knowing about Him or just knowing scripture—the intimacy with the Word of God–gives birth to godliness that pleases the heart of the Father.
Authority Comes From a Relationship with Christ.
Apart from Christ, humanity is “dead in trespasses and sins” and follows “the prince of the power of the air.”{5} But for the blood-bought believer, the story is entirely different. Those who are filled with God’s Spirit, who confess Jesus Christ as Lord, who believe He died for their sins, rose by the power of the Holy Spirit, and now sit at the right hand of the Father{6}—these are the ones who stand in the Lord’s authority and victory.
Believers Share in Christ’s Victory.
So the believer doesn’t face the demonic realm alone. We stand in and by the authority of Christ Jesus and do not need to question whether Satan is equal to Jesus. Scripture assures us that “Greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world.”{7} Through Christ, we are more than conquerors.{8} Satan is the opposition, but never the equal opponent. The living God dwells within His people, and by His Spirit, they walk in victory and authority over the powers of darkness.
Did this article help you understand why Satan is not equal to Jesus? Please tell us your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
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Notes
1. Ezekiel 28:13-15
2. Isaiah 14:12-15
3. Revelation 12:4
4. Luke 10:18
5. Ephesians 2:1-2
6. Romans 8:11; Hebrews 1:3
7. 1 John 4:4
8. Romans 8:37
©2025 Probe Ministries
Terrence Harris
Terrence A. Harris is a Christian writer and Bible teacher who serves as Communications Manager at Probe Ministries. He is passionate about helping believers understand God’s Word, stand firm in biblical truth, and live out their faith with confidence.
What is Probe?Probe Ministries is a non-profit ministry whose mission is to assist the church in renewing the minds of believers with a Christian worldview and to equip the church to engage the world for Christ. Probe fulfills this mission through our Mind Games conferences for youth and adults, our 3-minute daily radio program, and our extensive Web site at www.probe.org.
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And I quote: “Terrence Harris reminds us why Satan and Jesus are not equally-matched enemies.”
Unfortunately after what happened to Charlie Kirk, in the eyes of believers and non-believers satan is winning LARGE!
It actually gets even worse. How will Erika, Charlies very young wife, going to explain to the little children they were blessed with, Daddy is not coming home anymore..?
Sorry for being so blunt, but on the other hand I don’t want to come up with erroneous theological reasoning of my own.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ed Zaccari
Chicago, IL.
Ed, Terrence replied to your question on Probe’s Facebook page:
The Bible tells us to walk by faith and not by sight. What happened to Charlie tells us what the Bible has said all along: that this world is perishing. Sin leads to death, causing the disintegration of the immaterial existence around us. Adam’s disobedience activated it. Now both material and immaterial disintegrates automatically.
For example, any building or car, regardless of occupancy, rusts and decays over time without manipulation. The active presence of sin (as a noun) influences the decay. Sin also infects our immaterial existence such as love, joy, peace, kindness, etc.
How Erica will explain to their children why Charlie no longer lives on this side of existence, lies in the hands of the Father, providing every spiritual blessing needed to add comfort in that time.
We know from scripture that righteousness guarantees eternal life in Christ. At the same time, the righteous suffered persecution in this world–because the world hates Christ. Jesus said that the world would hate those follows Him. We see that some, the Lord allowed long life, while others He did not. I cannot say why Charlie Kirk’s life is cut short–that understanding belongs to the Lord.
What we could say is that death plays no favorites and sin touches the lives of both the righteous and the wicked. Yet, remember only one will stand in fellowship in the presence of a glorious God, which is the ultimate goal of life. Whether we die young or old, the goal of this life is to live forever and ever with Christ.
The Bible tells us to walk by faith and not by sight. What happened to Charlie tells us what the Bible has said all along: that this world is perishing. Sin leads to death causing the disintegration of the immaterial existence around us. Adam’s disobedience activated it. Now both material and immaterial disintegrates automatically.
For example, any building or car, regardless of occupancy, rusts and decays over time without manipulation. The active presence of sin (as a noun) influences the decay. Sin also infects our immaterial existence such as love, joy, peace, kindness, etc.
How Erica will explain to their children why Charlie no longer lives on this side of existence, lies in the hands of the Father, providing every spiritual blessing needed to add comfort in that time.
We know from scripture that righteousness guarantees eternal life in Christ. At the same time, the righteous suffered persecution in this world- because the world hates Christ. Jesus said that the world would hate those follows Him. We see that some, the Lord allowed long life, while others He did not. I cannot say why Charlie Kirk’s life is cut short- that understanding belongs to the Lord.
What we could say is that death plays no favorites and sin touches the lives of both the righteous and the wicked. Yet, remember only one will stand in fellowship in the presence of a glorious God, which is the ultimate goal of life. Whether we die young or old, the goal of this life is to live forever and ever with Christ.
A clear and biblically grounded reminder that Satan is not God’s equal he’s a defeated foe operating under divine limits. Christ reigns supreme.