The existence, power and schemes of the devil are facts of tremendous significance, for we live in the midst of his schemes and snares. Jesus informs us that Satan heads a mighty kingdom of fallen angels called demons. He is the malignant spirit who first tempted mankind to sin through our first parents, Adam and Eve. Since then his purpose has been to drive a wedge between mankind and their Creator. His goal is to hurt God the only way he can and that is through mankind whom God loves. His goal is nothing short of the eternal ruin of mankind. In the process of his war with God, he has brought untold sorrow and shame to the history of the human race. He is the instigator of wars and hatred between mankind. The world is deceived by this great deceiver, whom Jesus called the father of lies, to the point of rendering him a mere fable. This greatly enhances his influence and advantage over men, for your greatest enemy is the one you do not know you have. He is the motivating influence behind the world’s mindset against the things of God. Because mankind is born under his influence, they are unaware of it. He is the motivating spirit behind the present world-system at war with God. The Bible gives a detailed description of this person and his career. It describes a being so powerful and influential that all would be lost apart from the One who came to destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8).