Is Satan female?
Question:
Please clarify for me and back up with scripture proof that Satan is not a woman. My fiancé and I are having a dispute regarding this matter. He joined The House of Yahweh and now I'm afraid that he is being led astray. I am praying for him and would like other strong believers to pray for and with me.
Answer:
The Bible uses a variety of terms to describe the being we know as Satan. He is called
- the wicked one - Matthew 13:19
- Beelzebub - Matthew 12:24
- strong man - Matthew 12:29
- a liar and the father of lies - John 8:44
- Satan - Mark 1:13
- Belial - II Corinthians 6:15
- tempter - I Thessalonians 3:5
- the angel of the bottomless pit - Revelation 9:11
- Abaddon - Revelation 9:11
- Devil - Matthew 4:1
- Enemy - Matthew 13:39
- Prince of the devils - Matthew 12:24
- murderer - John 8:44
- Prince of this world - John 12:31
- God of this world - II Corinthians 4:4
- that old serpent - Revelation 12:9
- advisary - I Peter 5:8
- Apollyon - Revelation 9:11
- the great red dragon - Revelation 12:3
- the accuser of our brethren - Revelation 12:10
The variety of names given to Satan describe his nature. He is the arch-criminal of this universe. Focusing though on Satan's origin, we find several statements in the Bible that indicate there was a revolt among the angels in heaven. Eliphaz stated, "He puts no trust even in His servants; and against His angels He charges error" (Job 4:18). Eliphaz is later shown to be inaccurate in his opinions, but his statement does show that men believed that angels are capable of being corrupted and sinning. In this the New Testament lends support. "For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment" (II Peter 2:4). And Jude records, "And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day" (Jude 6).
Looking again at the list of names for Satan, notice that Satan is called the prince of the devils in Matthew 12:24. Matthew 25:41 refers to "the devil and his angels." It leaves little choice but to conclude that Satan was the leader of the angelic rebellion. It would be safe then to assume that Satan was an angelic being. That being the case, gender doesn't really apply, for Jesus once stated, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven" (Matthew 22:30). Male and female are distinctions made in the physical realm. Angels are in the spiritual realm where such distinctions do not exist.
Even so, the Bible uses male pronouns when referring to Satan (as well as other spiritual beings), such as in "the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). Female tenses are not used, so we should respect the designation that God has given.
I'm sorry to hear that your fiance is involved with the House of Yahweh. If you are interested in a description of the group, I found an article titled "House of Yahweh in Abilene, Texas" that provides a brief description of its origins and notable beliefs. An article titled "House of Yahweh and Yisrayl Hawkins" contains a list of documents about this group found in papers and magazines. I can confidently say that it is a false religion.
I strongly urge you to consider your future before marriage. Some of the documents that I found on this group indicate they advocate polygamy. In addition, few marriages survive more than a few years when the couple does not agree on their religion. The stress becomes particularly high when children are born in a relationship. Arguments concerning how the children will be raised and in what religious faith never end. The children, too, are sad victims; often, they grow up with no religious beliefs because of their parents' disagreements.