The Names God and Devil

For most of people’s lives they think that they know what the names “God” and the “Devil” mean. Actually the meanings are not what people usually say they are. The word “God” in English did not originally mean an all-powerful, omniscient being though He is. The word “Devil” did not originally mean “chief of the bad angels” or “bad angel.” Let us look at what these names or titles mean and a few interesting observations about their spellings.

While “Elohim” which is the word for “God” in the original Hebrew means “mighty” or “great,” according to William Smith’s Bible Dictionary the English word “God” means “good.” Psa. 73:1  was therefore not joking when it said “Truly God is good ….” (See also Psa. 145:9). As you will realize, the word “good” is almost spelt like “God.” Is that a coincidence? Well, let us look at the other side. The word “Devil” in the original Greek does not mean “chief of the bad angels” though that is what he is. “Devil” means “slanderer.” No wonder John 8:44 says “Ye are of your father the devil … there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Just as the word “Good” is spelt almost like “God” from whom all goodness flows, the word “Devil” has the word “evil” in his English name.

So we have the equation: God = good. Devil = evil. In fact, write the word “God” backwards and you will get man’s best friend! Write the word “Devil” backwards and leave out the “v” and you will get the word “lied” for as John 8:44 says he is the father of lies.

You cannot have two masters. So make your choice. It is either following God fully or following the Devil. As Joshua 24:15 says “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Matt. 12:30 adds “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Do not put off your decision or that time will never come. Ask God to give you the will and the power and you will have the willpower to make the right move – following Jesus. God will not cast away anyone who comes to him confessing their sins with sincerity and humility. Talk to Him now. Luke 15:7 says “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”