Did God Create Satan?

We see evil all around us everyday it seems.  We read of children being physically assaulted and killed.  Television transmits violence into our homes on a daily basis.  We see cities being bombed and innocent people being slaughtered.  Hurricanes and natural disasters seem more common than usual.  We hear people say, "Why is there so much evil in the world?"  We even hear people say, "Why did God create Satan?"

The Bible gives us the answer.  God never created Satan, God created Lucifer who was a glorious, shining, beautiful angel.  God created Lucifer but it was Lucifer who chose to become Satan.  Lucifer became Satan when he rebelled against Almighty God.

Darth Vader was the central character of the Star Wars saga.  He appeared as the main antagonist in the trilogy and protagonist in the prequel trilogy.  He was created by George Lucas and I suspect he took this character right out of the Bible.  Darth Vader's original name was Anakin Skywalker, the father of Luke Skywalker.  He was a Jedi knight who was presented in the prophecy as being the Chosen One who was suppose to restore balance to the Force; however, he chose to leave the good side of the Force and join the dark side of the Force.  When he chose the dark side, his name was  no longer Anakin Skywalker but rather now Darth Vader.

 Does this sound familiar?  Lucifer did the exact same thing and chose to follow the dark side.  When he chose the dark side, his name was no longer Lucifer but rather now Satan.

 God created all of us, even angels, with the ability to choose that which is good or that which is evil.  Lucifer chose evil and he is responsible for becoming Satan.  The first sin in the universe was committed by Lucifer.

Why?  Isaiah 14:13-14 reveals the answer, " . . . 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; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High."  The first sin was not murder or theft.  The first sin was pride and pride led to rebellion.

John 3:16 is perhaps one of the greatest verses in the Bible.  However, John 3:17 is one that we need to try and understand.  "For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

Pride can cause us to become self-righteous and condemn those we do not agree with.  Fully devoted followers of Christ seek to let the Word go forth to save the lost, not to condemn the lost.

One of the cornerstones of the church is found in Luke 14:11:  "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

God did not create Satan.  God created love.