Bible Question:
What is Satanism?
Bible Answer:
Satanism is a religion involving the worship of Satan. It is opposed to Christianity. It does not target any other faith because it is directly opposed to the true God.
Who is Satan?
Satan is a fallen angel who once the lead angel in heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:13-15). He desired to be like God and was thrown out of heaven. There have been a number of previous question and answers that discuss Satan. The world is now in Satan’s control but for long. He is the current power of this age.
. . . to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ (NASB) Acts 26:18
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (NASB) Ephesians 6:12
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (NASB) 1 John 5:19
Satan seeks to keep people from coming to God by pretending to be light and truth.
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (NASB) 2 Corinthians 11:14
There is a spiritual struggle that is constantly occurring in our world and in an invisible world (Daniel 10:10-21). He is not our friend as Satanists want us to believe. He is our enemy. He opposes us when we seek to come to God and when we seek to serve the true God. He does not want us to be saved, to read our Bibles, to believe in Jesus or meditate on the Word of God. He wants to destroy true, active Christians.
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. (NASB) Zechariah 3:1
But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” (NASB) Matthew 16:23
And these are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them. (NASB) Mark 4:15
And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. (NASB) Luke 22:3
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; (NASB) Luke 22:31
He wants us to sin. He fills our heart with desires for money, sex, and pleasure for example. We do not always understand how he operates. That is why he is so successful.
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back some of the price of the land?” (NASB) Acts 5:3
. . . lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (NASB) 1 Corinthians 7:5
. . . in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes. (NASB) 2 Corinthians 2:11
For we wanted to come to you–I, Paul, more than once–and yet Satan thwarted us. (NASB) 1 Thessalonians 2:18
He does not want us to know that he really exists much less to understand how he operates. Satan is a deceiver.
Satanism
Most people in this world are not directly involved in Satanism. Most of us are only influenced by Satan and his demons or fallen angels. An increasing number of people want to be directly involved in the worship of Satan or become active for him. They may join a “church” involved in the worship of Satan or become involved in the occult with tarot cards, astral projection, divination and so forth. But God warns us to not get involved.
There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD (NASB) Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Yet, some people get actively involved. Why do people get involved with Satanism? Here are some of the reasons as explained by an ex-Satanist.
Youth and self-styled Satanists are recruited into the cult, by lures promising companionship, excitement or thrills, free sex, free drugs, money, power, and recognition. These lures are intensively persuasive to a person from a dysfunctional family whose values conflict with the family or society. Recruitment locations include schools, parks, satanic and non-Satanic churches, occult bookstores, bus and train stations, counseling centers, daycare/preschool centers, parties, psychic fairs, science fiction and fantasy conventions, heavy metal concerts, fantasy role playing conventions, satanic computer bulletin boards and cult hotlines. (qtd. Josh McDowell & Don Stewart. The Occult., Here’s Life Publishers. San Fernando. 1992.
The reason people get involved is that they are longing for something more in this life. They long for something that is satisfying and makes life worth living. They do not realize that God will fill that vacuum in their life. They need to know about God’s Great Passion.
Conclusion:
God warns us to resist Satan. Satanism is opposed to God’s holiness and divine truth. Satanism is powerful and many are tempted by this power, but we are warned to resist getting involved and yielding to the devil.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (NASB) James 4:7
We are in a war with Satan. Satanism is to be avoided!