Can Satan create like God?

by esther phinias | 31 March 2022 08:46 pm03

Can Satan create like God? If not, then why during Pharaoh’s time did the magicians produce frogs and snakes, just like Moses did? How were those frogs created? Where did their life come from if not from God?

QUESTION 1:

Can Satan create like God? If not, why during Pharaoh’s time did the magicians manage to produce frogs and snakes, just like Moses? How did those frogs come into existence? Where did their life come from if not from God?

ANSWER:

Jesus clearly identifies Satan as a liar and the originator of falsehood:

John 8:44 (ESV):

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

This verse highlights Satan’s fundamental nature — he is a being of deceit, and his entire kingdom is built upon falsehood. From the very beginning, he used lies to usurp authority from Adam (Genesis 3), corrupting God’s original design for humanity. Satan’s power lies not in creation but in deception, rebellion, and corruption.

Can Satan create like God?

The biblical doctrine of creation clearly affirms that only God is the Creator. God alone possesses the power to bring something into existence out of nothing (ex nihilo). This is seen throughout Scripture:

Genesis 1:1 (ESV):

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

 

Hebrews 11:3 (ESV):

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

No creature, including Satan or any angelic being, has the power to create life or matter. They are created beings themselves, dependent entirely on God.

What about Pharaoh’s magicians?

During the plagues of Egypt, Pharaoh’s magicians appeared to replicate some of the miraculous signs Moses performed — turning staffs into snakes and producing frogs (Exodus 7-8). However, the Bible shows this was not actual creation but illusion or counterfeit:

2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV):

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

Satan’s power in this context is one of illusion and deception, making something appear real but without true substance or life. The “frogs” and “snakes” produced by the magicians were likely trickery—either illusions or real animals summoned or manipulated by occult means, but not newly created life.

The magicians themselves failed to match all the miracles, acknowledging the superiority of God’s power. Their works ultimately showed the limits of Satan’s counterfeit kingdom.

Theological implications

Creatio ex nihilo (Creation out of nothing) is reserved for God alone. This affirms His unique sovereignty and power as the sole Creator.

Satan and demonic powers can mimic or counterfeit miracles but cannot create life or reality itself.

The spiritual warfare we face involves discerning truth from deception, recognizing that Satan’s power is ultimately limited and derivative.

Evil and rebellion in the world are results of Satan’s corrupting influence, not creative power.

Summary

Satan is a master deceiver and can manipulate appearances, but he cannot create life or matter. The frogs and snakes seen during Pharaoh’s time were illusions or counterfeit, not original creations. Only God alone has the sovereign ability to create, sustain, and give life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2022/03/31/can-satan-create-like-god/

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