Sin was in the world before man. Satan is the originator of sin. (Eze 28:11-19, under the name of the King of Tyre, describes what Satan was before he fell, and what he became by his iniquity.
Satan's method and manner of working are displayed in the following seven instances:—
1. He puts evil into the hearts of men, as illustrated in the case of Ananias (Act 5:3).
2. He endeavours to keep men from that which is of God, as seen in the instance of Joshua (Zec 3:1).
3. He catches away the seed of God's truth, lest man should be benefited (Mat 13:19).
4. He blinds men to their true condition and the beauty of Christ (2Cr 4:4).
5. He hinders the servants of Christ in the work of the Gospel (1Th 2:18).
6. He tries to lead men into sin, as is portrayed in the temptation of Christ (Mat 4:1-11).
7. His aim is to get men to discredit the word of God, as may be gathered from the temptation of Eve (Gen 3:1-5).