What was Satan Thinking?!

Have you ever thought, beyond what the scriptures say as to why Satan would choose to challenge God's authority and why 1/3 of the angels actually believed him a better choice to rule than God?

There are stories about Heaven and even stories about people who have been to heaven. Some of the first accounts are stories from the Bible but some are as recent as today.  The book "Heaven", by Randy Alcorn, provides a great perspective to the many questions people ask about Heaven itself.  If you would like to read a book about a first hand account then one of the most recent is called "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo (Excellent book!).  From what I've read Heaven sounds like an AMAZING place.  I can't wait to go, even though I do enjoy the time I am spending here on earth.  But if Heaven is so great, wonderful, magnificent, awe inspiring, terrific, majestic, holy, pure, etc..., why would Satan and his demons choose to sin against God risking to lose everything?

We know that the angels were created before mankind but we don't know how long before.  We know that the angels had free will until the defection and the ones who sided with God now cannot sin, just as we won't be able to sin once we go to heaven.  We know that Heaven is amazing and Hell is unfathomable in its horror and suffering.  Lastly, we know that God is eternal and not a creation unlike the angles and ourselves.

So, what could've been going through Satan's mind (or whatever God gave the angels) to pose the question he did resulting in his fall?  How long did he think about his decision before he openly declared his actions?  How long was he allowed to tempt the other angels to follow him?  Did he create and uprising over time?  Was it the result of God creating mankind?  In a pure environment, how could he come to this conclusion?

Man had the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden.  Satan used tree this to tempt Adam and Eve to disobey God.  However, how is it that Satan tempted himself?  Did he tempt himself or was his ego encouraged by others?  Did the other fallen angels also have this thought and Satan, by taking action, was the catalyst for the defection?  Did they not know the consequences for their actions?  How could Satan actual reason that he could oust his creator?  Maybe what started his downfall was when God put forth the plan to create mankind and this created feelings to prove himself?  Have you ever been at work and you think your way is better than your bosses?  What weakness could Satan have reasoned in God to think that he could overthrow Him?  What lie could he have told his demons to get them to believe his way was better?  Lastly, how is it that once Satan made his mistake, his makeup instantly became the complete opposite of God's?  It seems as though in the spirit world sin completely corrupts ever part of the makeup of the host so there is no good left.

Remember, even though Satan is a defeated foe still subject to God he still has authority over this world.  He is seeking to steal, kill, and destroy.  Ultimately, we know that God has the victory and salvation lies in His son Jesus Christ.  Remember to resist temptation and don't give Satan a foothold lest YOU be decieved too.

A couple of verses for thought.

Isaiah 14:12-15

 “How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer,^[a] son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
¹³ For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
¹⁵ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.


Luke 22:31 (Notice Satan STILL has to ask God's permission and is therefore still subject to Him.)

³¹ And the Lord said,^[a] “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
Revelation 12:10

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.