Satan In Christian Worldview And Modern Society
It seems as though in today’s age and time that Satan’s existence is more real and prevalent not only among society, but among Christians, as well. But, it isn’t the talk of Satan that is alarming so much as the type of attention and talk that he is receiving. Our modern day society has transformed him from being the evil, factual being that we know him as into a sinister, more humors fictional character used to make ‘great’ movies and entertainment. Producers are making a living out of Satan’s character.
One of the most well known movies depicting this is Little Nicky. It depicts Satan preparing to retire from ruling Hell and trying to decide which of his three sons will take over the throne. But, when Satan decides to go ahead and keep the throne two of his children leave Hell to create their own version of Hell on earth; landing in New York City these two brother possess the political leaders of the city, freeze the gates of Hell to keep souls from going to their father, and create chaos among the mortals if New York.
The movie ends with Satan’s youngest son, Nicky, saving the day, and defeating his brothers so that all of the souls, once again, can return to Satan himself. This movie is considered a comedy and opened at #2 in the North American box office. As disturbing as the film industry’s portrayal of Satan may be, it isn’t too surprising to me. What I find to be surprising, but even more so frightening, is the fact that ‘Christians’ are falling into this same trap. There are a few Christians who will speak out against such media and portrayal, but the majority will sit silently amongst themselves and simply just ‘not watch such things. But even still, there are Christians who actually believe Satan to be fictitious. In 2009, Barna done a survey indicating that 6 out of 10 Christians believe Satan to be a symbol of evil rather than a living being. That is 6 out of 10 too many! But, what is the real nature of Satan? Is he really just a symbol of evil and a fictitious being? Do today’s society and film producers know something that we, as Christians, do not? The Bible says, ‘How are thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How are thou cut down to the ground, who didst weaken the nations! Isaiah 14:12 God’s word very clearly identifies Satan as being a real being. Not a fictitious character, but rather a real, living being capable of speaking and deceiving. Satan was originally in Heaven, created as an angel. He was living with God, until pride entered into his heart and he schemed to become like God. ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. ’ Isaiah 14:14 Because of the sin of pride, and because there is no room for sin in Heaven, he was kicked out along with those who followed and rebelled with him. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. ’ Isaiah 14:15 Surely, if Satan were fictitious God would not have described him as a real being capable of making real decisions resulting in real consequences. Satan is not only an ‘angel gone bad,’ but a being capable of knowing, learning, deceiving, and twisting the word of God. Though evil, he is intelligent. This is supported through his ability to memorize Scripture, and twist it to what he wants it to mean.
He was even able to use his knowledge of God to tempt Eve in the Garden. ‘…And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?… God hath said, ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:’ Genesis 3:1-4 Satan not only is capable of knowing what God’s word says, but is capable and will do all that he can to twist it and lead you astray. Satan is an imitator of God. His desire to be as God is what caused him to be kicked out of Heaven.
Though Satan has failed in his efforts to be like God, and though he knows he will never win against God, he still tries. You can look all around the world today and see evidence of Satan’s imitations. Men have allowed themselves to be open to such duplications that they no longer see them as Satanic or evil, but as a religion of their own. In Satan’s quest to be like God he has influenced men to the point that they have constructed their own church for him and mocked the Christian bible with their very own Satanic ‘bible. ’ Satan has even produced his own versions of prophets.
But, unlike God’s prophets, these ‘prophets’ will create confusion among people, teach them false doctrines, and bring them false hopes. ‘But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. ’ 2 Peter 2:1-2 The Bible so unmistakably reveals Satan as a true being. Satan is real just as Christ, Himself, is real.
He not only is the symbol if all things evil, but is the author of all things evil. But, if Satan is real why are Christians having so many doubts of his existence? And, if Satan is evil why are producers portraying him as something so completely different? The answers to these questions lay in the fact that Satan has done what he does best…deceive! ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because yours adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 By deceiving the nations, Satan is trying his best to defeat God.
Satan thinks that by creating false doctrines and providing artificial ‘salvation’ he is keeping souls from coming to Christ. And though his deception is keeping souls from coming to Christ he is still the one who is defeated. The fact that the media is trying to portray Satan as something not to be feared, and the fact that so many Christians are being deceived, believers in Christ should be taking a stand; a stand against Satan and a stand against false doctrines. Because, ‘apart from total dependence upon God, we cannot win the victory over the devil. ’
