Satan was originally an archangel — a servant of God who fell. The key claim: even fallen, Satan has legitimate standing to make demands of God based on the principles God established.
“Satan was originally an archangel. He declares to God, ‘Even though I became Satan due to the Fall, You should solve the problems according to the principles You set up because You are the omniscient, almighty and absolute God. Although I violated the law and became Satan, You, the all-knowing, almighty and absolute Being must work according to the laws You have laid down.‘” (CSG 39-88)
“Although the archangel fell and accuses God, God must still observe the principles that He established, because He is God. God is the Absolute Being. Therefore, although the archangel had fallen, God is compelled to rule over His creation according to the principles and rules He laid down.” (CSG 52-87)
Satan’s accusation strategy: “You established eternal love as the law. I fell, but You loved me until my fall under that law. Therefore You are still obligated to love me.” God cannot simply deny this — it’s true. The law of love that He established did apply to the archangel.
This is why even an omnipotent God “could not make a move” against Satan in certain conditions. It’s not weakness — it’s integrity to His own nature. Breaking His own law to punish Satan would undermine all creation.
The implication for believers
“Even a government minister would be fired within a day were he found to be at fault. Hence, you must protect yourselves against conditions for accusation.” (CSG 76-58)
The practical application: the reason believers must live with integrity is not just personal holiness — it is to prevent Satan from having grounds to accuse. Every compromise, every hypocrisy, every unresolved sin gives Satan a claim. The path of restoration requires that claims against God’s people be nullified one by one.