Billy Graham Answers 8 Questions About Satan and Idols
Do People Really Worship the Devil? Why?
This isn’t common, but occasionally I’ve met someone or received letters from people who clearly stated they deliberately worshipped the devil instead of God. I had no reason to doubt their statements, although I always prayed God would change their minds and hearts.
Why would anyone do this? I agree it isn’t logical, but in their minds it did make sense because they believed Satan would help them and give them special powers. Some also didn’t want anyone (especially God) telling them how to live, and by worshipping Satan they felt they were now free to live any way they wanted. Tragically, history tells us that people who deliberately follow Satan often end up doing great evil, both to others and to themselves.
The tragedy in all of this is that Satan never delivers what he promises. He promises freedom and happiness, but delivers only slavery and sorrow. He promises power and new life, but delivers only weakness and death. Never forget: Satan is a liar! The Bible warns, “The way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction” (Prov. 13:15).
Sadly, many today follow Satan without even realizing it. They ignore God and never give a thought to eternity, living instead by the self-centered values Satan approves. Don’t let that happen to you. Instead, by faith put your life into Christ’s hands, and make Him the center and the foundation of your life. Jesus said, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only'” (Matt. 4:10).
What Does Satan Look Like?
For centuries people have tried to picture what Satan must look like, and I find it interesting that he’s almost always portrayed as something repulsive, evil and violent. Anything that pictures him as cute or harmless is misleading—for he’s anything but that.
In reality, however, the Bible doesn’t tell us what Satan looks like—and with good reason, for he’s not limited to any physical form or image. Instead, Satan is a powerful spiritual force that pervades the whole creation, far greater than any person or beast or other creature. He is not as powerful as God, nor is he eternal like God; someday his power will come to an end. But don’t limit him to the mental image you may have of a pitchfork-carrying person in a red suit.
At the same time, the Bible indicates that at times Satan and his demons may take on human form. In his attempts to deceive us, the Bible says, he may even seem like a messenger from God: “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). If our lives are built on Christ and His Word, however, we will not be deceived.
Satan’s goal is to keep us from Christ—because he knows only Christ can deliver us from hell and take us safely to heaven. Is your faith and hope in Him? “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Why Do Some People Say Satan Is Not Really Evil but Good?
Don’t think Satan is an out-of-date superstition; even a casual glance at the headlines in your newspaper should convince you that Satan is alive and well. How else could we possibly explain all the horrific things that are happening in the world?
But Satan is very clever in the way he disguises himself. When something evil happens, he seldom boldly proclaims, “I am Satan, and I did this!” Instead, he often works behind the scenes so people don’t realize just how active he really is. Or, he may deceive people (such as this group) into thinking his way is best, and that he alone can give them the happiness and success they seek. The Bible even says that at times “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14).
The tragedy is that many people serve the devil—without even realizing it. They don’t worship Satan; they may not even believe in him. But God is not important to them, nor do they thank Him for His gifts—and as a result their lives are aligned with Satan’s plans instead of God’s. The Bible says that Satan “has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts” (John 12:40).
The most important fact about Satan, however, is that he is a defeated foe! By His death and resurrection Jesus overcame Satan’s power—and some day His victory will be complete. Don’t be deceived, but build your life solely on Jesus Christ—both for this life, and for eternity.
