Should "Satan" Be Capitalized?

(reposted from my other blog)

            I’ve read a lot of things lately where Christian people won’t capitalize the name “Satan.”  They say it’s because they don’t want to give him that much credit or attention. 

            And while I can appreciate that sentiment, why do I still capitalize his name?

            Because the inspired Word of God does.  "Satan" is a name, not an adjective or a common noun.  But a name.  And names get capitalized.  And so if the Bible capitalizes his name, identifying him as an actual being, who am I to act like I know better?

            One author in particular said he barely talks about Satan because he doesn’t want to focus on him in any way.  He doesn’t want to give Satan that much “air-time.” 

            But the Bible talks about Satan and evil all the time.  It warns us about him, cautions us about him, tells us how to defend ourselves against him and his attacks. 

            I wonder, doesn’t not talking about him at all make him more invisible, make it easier for him to slip in undetected, to work in the shadows … because we aren’t even looking for him?  Because we're not training ourselves to be alert for him, to resist him, to battle against him?

            Just a thought.

            Satan works best when we underestimate him.  When we don't take him seriously.  When we live like he doesn’t even exist.     

            “Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”  (1 Peter 5:8-9)

            “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  (Ephesians 6:11-12)



            If we live like Satan doesn't even exist then we will spend our lives battling the wrong things ... because our battle isn't against worldly things, but against Satan and his forces.



            These authors who downplay Satan think they are somehow coming across as wiser and more godly.  But how wise is it to ignore an enemy that is determined to destroy you any chance he gets?  How godly is it to replace God's views with your own?  To ignore clear biblical Truths, and to teach others to do the same?

            If you ignore Satan, you do so to your own detriment!  (Click here to read about why I don't take him too lightly.)

            Wise and godly people will take their enemy and the spiritual battle seriously.  But they'll also remember that God has already won the battle, that Satan is a defeated foe, and that God is the one who gives us the strength, power, wisdom, and weapons that we need to battle the enemy. 

            Take the enemy seriously.  But take God more seriously!

            "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."  (1 John 4:4)

            "Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  (James 4:7)