Satan's Legalism: The Accuser Who Opposes Justification by Faith
Orientation
Many imagine Satan as a rebel who breaks rules, but his core strategy is to trap humanity in self-justification through law-keeping.
- Satan injected the knowledge of good and evil, his own nature, into humanity.
- This corrupted the conscience and caused mankind to shrink back from God in shame.
- His goal is to usurp God's dominion and force judgment upon humanity.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:7)
— Genesis 3:7
Clarification
Sin is not merely wrongdoing; it is a deceiving power that twists God's holy Law into a tool for condemnation and death.
- The Law's purpose is to expose and condemn sin, revealing our need for Christ.
- Satan's deception makes people believe they can earn righteousness through their own works and law-keeping.
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. (Romans 7:11)
— Romans 7:11
Structure
Satan's legalistic accusations are answered by God's gift of righteousness through faith in Christ alone.
- God justifies sinners through Christ's atoning blood, making them children and heirs.
- Righteousness is received as a gift from God, not earned by works.
- This fulfills the Law's purpose and silences the accuser.
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26)
— Romans 3:26
Weight-Bearing Prose
Satan’s fundamental nature is legalism. He opposes justification by faith, accusing God of lawlessness for justifying the ungodly. This accusation is central to his role. He is the father of legalistic Pharisees and of Cain, who hated Abel’s faith-based offering. Romans 7 personifies sin as Satan’s nature—a deceiving power that takes God’s Law and twists it into a ministry of condemnation, weakness, and death. The Law’s divine purpose is to expose sin and drive us to Christ. But under Satan’s influence, people are deceived into believing righteousness comes by law-keeping and works. This is a direct assault on the gospel of grace. Paul’s categories are clear: righteousness is a gift received by faith in Jesus Christ, entirely apart from the works of the Law. Any system of self-justification forfeits justification, sonship, and inheritance. God’s answer in Christ is both just and the justifier. The propitiation in His blood is the only ground where Satan’s accusations are silenced.
Integration
Your standing before God is not based on your law-keeping or your efforts. It rests completely on Christ’s finished work. God has declared you righteous as a gift, received by faith alone. You are a child and an heir. Satan’s accusations of insufficiency have no power here. The Law did its work—it exposed the need—and Christ has met it fully. There is no pressure to advance or perform. Your assurance is anchored in God’s record concerning His Son. This is your landing place. Christ is your righteousness, your sanctification, your reward. Rest here. The work is done.