Is the dark world of evil spirits, Satan, witches and warlocks simply ancient superstition or a children’s fairy tale? Is Harry Potter just make believe and fun reading? The Word of God teaches us that the devil (Satan) is real. Some of his “tricks of the trade” are the magic arts and the so-called New Age movement. Psychics, astrology, horoscopes, fortunetellers, channeling, familiar spirits are all condemned by God in the Bible. God knows that these things are not just harmless fun, but they open a door to deception and destruction by the Evil One. (See Deuteronomy 18:9-13, Isaiah 47:9-14) These things are detestable to God and lead to doom and death for any person or nation who promotes or practices them.

Jesus Christ taught extensively about the devil and his deception. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) The Word of God teaches that the devil is real, and he is no friend, but rather a fiend and a foe to all that is good, upright, and holy. He is called: “The father of lies, a murderer from the beginning, and abideth not in the truth.” He is referred to as “Satan, Lucifer, the devil, dragon, the serpent, and Beelzebub (lord of the flies).” He sometimes masquerades as an angel of light but abides in darkness.

At one time Lucifer (Satan) was perfect as a powerful angel in heaven, “until sin was found in him,” and he was cast out of heaven along with a third of the angels who followed him. These fallen angels are evil spirit or demons. They desire to inhabit people, to destroy and thwart the work of God. Jesus spent much of His earthly ministry casting out evil spirits and healing the sick. Jesus said that He “came to destroy the works of the devil.”

Jesus made it very plain that hell is real and that Satan and his followers and all who reject or neglect the grace, mercy, and redemption of Christ are doomed to spend eternity lost and damned to everlasting torment in the fires of hell. (See Luke 16: 19-31, Mark 9:47,48)

Martin Luther describes our ancient foe in his classic hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” “…For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal… Were not the right man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His name, From age to age the same… The prince of darkness grim. We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo! His doom is sure.”

Jesus is a friend of sinners. The devil was defeated 2000 years ago when Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world as a perfect, holy sacrifice. Satan thought he had the victory, but Jesus arose from the dead on the third day, victorious over death, hell and the grave.

Christ Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” who gave His life for the Sheep. (John 10:11) He is the “friend that sticks closer than a brother.” He offers the gift of eternal life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Do you want to love and serve a friend who loves you or a fiend who wants to destroy you?

You can have a personal relationship with God through His only begotten Son.

A - Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

B - Believe in Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

C - Confess and leave your sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)