How could Satan have been a murderer from the beginning?

[MarkInOregon]

John 8:44 says, in part, in reference to the devil or Satan “…he was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him…” The CCC at paragraph 391 says, in part, “…The Church teaches that Satan was at first a good angel, made by God…” If Satan was a “murderer from the beginning,” how could he have been “at first a good angel”?

I am afraid this may come up in a Bible study I am starting and would like to have a “good” answer if this is raised. Thank you for your consideration of this question.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

If I said that the notorious serial-killer Ted Bundy was “a murderer from the beginning,” would it be reasonable to assume I was saying that he had started his infamous career while yet in the cradle? The more reasonable interpretation would be to assume that I meant that Bundy had been a murderer from the beginning of his crime spree.

So too with Satan. According to Jesus, he was a murderer (of souls) from the moment he chose to eternally separate himself from God.

Recommended reading:

The Universe of Discourse by Jimmy Akin