Naming Satan - The Many Names of the "Deceiver"

[Major Nikon]

2. The "deceiver" carries with it a particular connotation

Many, if not most Christians believe the snake in the Genesis story is tool of Satan who convinces Eve to partake in the apple and Eve subsequently corrupts Adam.

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

-- 2 Corinthians 11:3

Many Christians are indoctrinated into believing anything that attempts to turn them away from their faith is the work of the "deceiver". It's a tactic used to keep them in line by constantly reminding them to be paranoid of those who do not share their faith.

Catholics in particular are especially adept at this. If you think about it, it's the ultimate ad hominem. If someone says something that goes against their faith, they can be summarily dismissed as tools of the devil working in concert to corrupt them. Above most other things this is drilled into them at an early age. It's why trying to debate some of them on the subject of religion is fruitless.