Is Satan / the devil a person or some sort of force or personification of evil?

TL;DR:

Satan is a real spiritual being, not just a personification of evil. Although Satan is evil, evil also comes from sinful desires within us. We are called to live for God and stand firm against the Devil, knowing that God’s power in us overcomes his schemes to steal, kill, and destroy.

what does the bible say?

Satan is depicted in the Bible as a real being rather than a mere force or personification of evil. His first appearance in Genesis 3 as the serpent sets the stage for his role in introducing sin into humanity. Throughout Scripture, he is shown as an actual entity with personal attributes and intentions, such as when he requests to tempt Job (Job 1) or is described as a powerful angel who fell from grace (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28). Jesus acknowledges the literal existence of Satan, referring to him as a personal adversary who tempts, deceives, and opposes God’s work (Luke 10:18; John 8:44). Despite Satan’s significant influence in our world, believers are equipped with spiritual armor to resist him and stand firm, knowing that God’s power within us overcomes his schemes (Ephesians 6:10–20; 1 Peter 5:8–11).

from the old testament

The first mention of Satan is in the form of the serpent in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3). He tempts Adam and Eve, leading to the entrance of sin into humanity. The consequences of sin include death. By Genesis 6, God saw the extent of human evil and chose to destroy all humans except for Noah and his family.
Satan displays many characteristics of a real being in Scripture. He appears before God to request the opportunity to attack and tempt Job (Job 1). Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 both describe his activities and power prior to his rebellion against God, describing him as a powerful angel and "anointed guardian cherub."

from the new testament

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently mentioned Satan. In Luke 10:18 He said, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven."
In Matthew 4 and Luke 4, Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness.
In John 12:31 Jesus said, "Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out." He called Satan a murderer from the beginning and father of lies (John 8:44).
In the parable of the sower Jesus taught, "the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved" (Luke 8:12).
John 10:10 tells us that the Devil has come to steal, kill, and destroy.
The apostles also spoke of Satan as a real being with power, though he was limited in comparison to God. Paul called Satan the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4). First John 5:19 states, "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." Revelation 12:9 adds that Satan is "the deceiver of the whole world."
Ephesians 6:12 describes the struggle against "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places," indicating that Satan and his forces are spiritual entities.
James says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Satan is a real being that we are to resist, not just the personification of evil.
Evil does not just come from Satan. Sin also comes from desires within us. James 1:14–15 tells us that “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

implications for today

The reality of the Devil as described in 1 Peter 5:8–9 is stark and urgent: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” This vivid imagery confirms the very real threat Satan poses, aiming to undermine our faith and lead us into destruction. Yet, in the face of this danger, Ephesians 6:10–20 assures us that God has given us all we need to respond to his attacks. We are called to "put on the whole armor of God," which includes truth and righteousness, as well as “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17). Armed with this spiritual armor, we can stand firm against the devil's schemes, confidently knowing that God's Spirit within us provides the strength and safety needed to withstand his attacks and emerge victorious.

understand

Satan is a real spiritual being, not just a personification of evil.
The Bible describes Satan as a fallen angel with personal attributes, power, and intent to deceive and destroy, though his power is limited compared to God's.
Believers are called to resist the Devil through faith and the spiritual armor provided by God.

reflect

How does knowing that Satan is a real spiritual being impact how you approach your faith and sin?
In what areas of your life do you feel most vulnerable to temptation, and how can you rely on God's strength to resist the Devil's influence?
Reflect on a time when you faced spiritual struggles. How did you respond? How might putting on the armor of God influence your response in similar situations in the future?

engage

How does acknowledging Satan as a real spiritual being change the way we approach conversations with those who view evil as merely a human construct?
What is the significance of understanding that evil comes not only from Satan but also from sinful desires within ourselves?
How can we practically "stand firm" against Satan's schemes in a world that often downplays spiritual realities?