Before I step into how I believe, I want all to know that I am not contesting anything anyone has questioned or said. I don't even want to give satan equal time, but I want to share what I've come to believe about that spirit*.

What I believe (which may change, if I'm moved to do so, at some later date):
I no longer think of satan as a counterpart to God, although I was taught that way, growing up. His nature is counter, true, but to put him as God's counterpart is almost like giving him an equal status. (Remember, this is how I feel). I don't see that possible, as there is no equal to God. God is omnipotent, satan is not. God is omniscient, satan is not. God is omnipresent, satan is not. God is boundless, satan is not. God is in man, satan is not. Man does evil by way of satan's enfluence, but man has choice. I astericked *spirit, above, because I don't envision him as spirit in the same sense as I envision God. God is EVERYWHERE and in EVERYTHING... satan, on the other hand, can only go where he's invited.

Why do bad things happen? Could it be that we don't put on the full armor of God, in love? God is love, pure and simple. Without love in our actions, we will ultimately cause bad things.

Numbers 7 & 8 of Dotsie's post, Twenty Things to Remember, helps me round off this entry:
7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

With love