Category Archives: Satan

The Coming Seven Year Tribulation

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The seven-year Tribulation refers to the future time of unprecedented distress that will fall upon the earth after the church is removed to heaven at the Rapture (1 Th 4:13–18; 1 Cor 15:51-52). This period is anchored in Daniel’s prophecy of the “seventy weeks” (Dan 9:24–27), where the final “week” (a heptad of years) is reserved for God’s dealings with Israel and the nations (Rev 6–19) before the establishment of Messiah’s earthly kingdom (2 Sam 7:12–16; Isa 2:2–4; Isa 9:6–7; Jer 23:5–6; 30:7; Ezek 37:24–28; Zech 14:3–9; Matt 19:28; 24:21-22; Luke 1:32–33; Acts 1:6–7; Rev 20:1–6). The event that begins this period is the confirmation of a covenant between “the prince who is to come” (the Antichrist) and unbelieving Israel (Dan 9:27). This covenant will likely promise Israel’s security and religious freedom, including the reinstitution of temple worship (2 Th 2:3–4; Rev 11:1–2), but it’s a façade for deception, as the Antichrist’s true character will be revealed in the middle of the Tribulation (Matt 24:15; Dan 9:27; Rev 13:4–7). Importantly, the Rapture of the church does not initiate the Tribulation but rather marks the conclusion of the church age, which began at Pentecost in Acts 2. The Tribulation formally begins with the signing of this covenant between the Antichrist and Israel. Fruchtenbaum clarifies, “The Rapture precedes the Tribulation, but it does not begin the Tribulation, a fact confused by many Pretribulationists. It is not the Rapture, but the seven-year covenant which begins the Tribulation. The Rapture will merely come some time before this, and may very well precede the Tribulation by a good number of years” (Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, p. 155).

The term Tribulation designates the entire seven-year period revealed in Daniel’s prophecy of the seventy weeks (Dan 9:27), a future era of unparalleled upheaval and divine judgment. The first half of this period is marked by the Antichrist’s deceptive rise, political consolidation, and restrained but mounting judgments. Jesus described this stage as “the beginning of birth pangs” (Matt 24:8), emphasizing that while distress is genuine, it steadily intensifies in both frequency and severity. During this time, the seal and trumpet judgments unfold (Rev 6–9), bringing economic collapse, ecological devastation, warfare, famine, and widespread death. Yet these judgments, though severe, remain restrained compared to what is to come.

The second half of the seven years is specifically called the Great Tribulation (Matt 24:21), when the full measure of God’s wrath is unleashed upon a rebellious world. Scripture identifies this climactic period as lasting “a time, times, and half a time” (Dan 7:25; 12:7; Rev 12:14), “forty-two months” (Rev 11:2; 13:5), or “1,260 days” (Rev 11:3; 12:6), underscoring its exact duration of three-and-a-half years. It begins at the midpoint when the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel, sets up the abomination of desolation in the temple (Dan 9:27; Matt 24:15; 2 Th 2:4), and demands global worship. During these final forty-two months (Rev 11:2; 13:5), the bowl judgments are poured out (Rev 16), unleashing the most catastrophic expressions of divine wrath. At the same time, the persecution of Israel intensifies as the Antichrist seeks to eradicate God’s covenant people (Rev 12:13–17), and worldwide rebellion against the Lord reaches its peak. According to Thomas Ice, “the Bible distinguishes between the tribulation period (seven years) and what is known as the great tribulation (the final three and a half years). In Matthew 24:9 the term ‘tribulation’ most likely refers to the full seven-year period of the tribulation. On the other hand, Matthew 24:21 speaks of the ‘great tribulation,’ which begins with the abomination of desolation that takes place after the midpoint of the seven-year period (Matt 24:15).” (Timothy J. Demy & Thomas Ice, Answers to Common Questions about the End Times, p. 65).

The coming seven-year Tribulation must be understood as an eschatological necessity: God’s appointed means to bring an end to human rebellion (Jer 25:31-33; Rev 6:15-17), to purify Israel for her Messiah (Ezek 20:37-38; Zech 13:8-9; Rom 11:26), and to prepare the nations for the visible return and reign of Christ (Matt 24:29-30; Rev 19:11-16). Thus, the Tribulation is both a period of judgment and of hope, for it paves the way for the long-awaited kingdom of God on earth (Dan 2:44; Zech 14:9; Rev 20:1-6) and the millennial blessings that will follow (Isa 11:6-9; Amos 9:13-15).

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

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Free Gift, Costly Road, Eternal Prize

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Good works can’t save. They never have. They never will. If good works could save us, then Christ’s death was pointless (Gal 2:21). Scripture thunders that salvation is by grace through faith, not works, so no one can boast (Eph 2:8-9). Eternal life is a gift, not a paycheck (Rom 6:23). We are justified by faith alone in Christ alone (Rom 3:28; 5:1) and sealed by the Spirit the instant we believe (Eph 1:13-14). Scripture states, “To the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Rom 4:5). God saves the one who DOES NOT WORK. And He freely JUSTIFIES THE UNGODLY. That’s grace—pure and unearned! And once given, the verdict is eternal and unshakable (John 10:28; Eph 1:13-14).

Now, if works didn’t get us saved, they can’t get us unsaved. You can’t lose what you didn’t earn. Our security isn’t based on our performance—it’s based on Christ’s perfect, finished work (John 19:30; Heb 10:10, 14). To say bad works can unsave is to put human failure above divine grace, as if God hands out salvation on probation instead of promise. Salvation is not a probationary contract—it’s a permanent birth (John 3:3; 1 Pet 1:23), a legal declaration (Rom 8:33), and an eternal adoption (Gal 4:4-7). No sin is greater than the work of Christ on the cross. Christ bore all our sins—past, present, and future (Heb 10:12). To argue otherwise is to say His death wasn’t enough.

After salvation, good works are not the automatic result of regeneration; rather, they’re the product of ongoing positive volition. When we believe in Christ, we’re born again and given the capacity to please God (Rom 8:8-9), but the Christian life still requires choice. We must daily decide to walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16), yield ourselves to God (Rom 6:13), and apply His Word (Jam 1:22). Regeneration doesn’t override our will; it enables a new kind of response. Some believers remain carnal because they resist spiritual growth (1 Cor 3:1-3), while others move toward maturity through consistent obedience (Heb 5:14). Fruitfulness comes not by default, but by devotion. As we walk with the Lord, our good works bring light to the world (Matt 5:16), strengthen our fellowship with God (Col 1:10), fill us with joy through faith (John 15:11; Rom 15:13), and store up rewards in heaven (1 Cor 3:12-15; 2 Cor 5:10). Concerning the judgment seat of Christ in heaven, Fruchtenbaum states, “The concern of this judgment is whether or not the believer followed what God’s will was for him. If a believer is doing the will of the Lord, obeys His commandments, and fulfills the ministry for which he received his spiritual gifts, then he is building on the foundation with gold, silver, and precious stones. But where he falls short of these things, he is building with wood, hay, and stubble.”[1] Eternal salvation is free—purchased once for all by the blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:18-19; Col 1:13-14). But discipleship will cost you everything (Luke 9:23; 14:27). And for those who follow Him faithfully (2 Tim 2:12), the reward will outlast time itself (2 Tim 4:7-8; 2 John 1:8).

Sadly, Christians can live in carnality and produce every sin the unbeliever can commit, to any degree, for any duration of time, even to the end of their life. But actions have consequences, and disobedience to the Lord brings painful discipline in time and loss of reward in eternity. When a believer chooses sin over submission, their testimony to the watching world is damaged or even destroyed (Matt 5:13-16; Phil 2:15). Instead of being salt and light, they become a source of confusion, reproach, or even mockery toward the name of Christ (2 Sam 12:14). Disobedience also robs the believer of inner joy and peace, replacing spiritual vitality with guilt, grief, and divine chastening (Psa 32:3-4; 1 Cor 11:30-32). God disciplines His children—not to condemn, but to correct—so that we might share in His holiness (Heb 12:6-11). Yet persistent carnality and refusal to respond can bring even more severe consequences, including premature death (1 Cor 11:30; 1 John 5:16). While our salvation remains intact, our failure to walk faithfully results in loss of eternal rewards (1 Cor 3:15; 2 John 1:8; Rev 3:11). At the Judgment Seat of Christ, every believer will be evaluated—not to determine salvation, but to assess faithfulness—and only what was done in dependence on God and for His glory will endure (1 Cor 4:5). In short, disobedience breaks fellowship, dulls spiritual impact, invites divine discipline, and forfeits eternal reward—but it never undoes the saving grace of God.

So, Christian—don’t waste your life. God has saved you freely by His grace, and now He calls you to live purposefully. Learn His Word daily (2 Tim 2:15), take it into your heart, and let it shape how you think, speak, and act (Psa 119:11; Col 3:16). Pursue righteousness—not to earn His favor, but because you already have it (Tit 2:11-12). Walk in faithful obedience, knowing that every moment of trust and every act of service matters for time and eternity. The Lord sees it all, and He will not forget your labor of love (Heb 6:10). Live in such a way that when you see Him face to face, you’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

If this article has enriched your understanding and walk with Christ, and you feel led to support my ministry, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your gifts enable me to continue sharing the gospel of grace and providing in-depth biblical teachings. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission.

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[1] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, Rev. ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2003), 157.

Spiritual Attacks in the Natural Realm

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Spiritual warfare is part of the Christian experience. While the battle is spiritual in origin, it often spills over into the visible and natural world. The Apostle Paul reminds us that our true enemies are not “flesh and blood” but “the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). Yet these dark forces often influence the natural realm—through physical illness, mental anguish, relational conflict, temptation, and even death. As believers, we must learn to detect these attacks and respond biblically, not mystically or fearfully, but with confidence in the victory already secured in Christ (Col 2:15).

The Scriptures provide several examples where Satan or demons afflicted people physically. Job stands out as the most dramatic case. Though blameless, he was permitted by God to be physically struck by Satan with painful boils “from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job 2:7). Paul, too, was afflicted by a “thorn in the flesh,” described as a “messenger of Satan” (2 Cor 12:7). This affliction, while painful, served a divine purpose—to keep him humble and dependent on God’s grace. Jesus also healed a woman who had been physically crippled for eighteen years. He made clear her condition was not merely medical but satanic in origin, saying, “this woman…whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years” (Luke 13:16). In the Gospels, demon-possessed individuals often suffered in extreme physical and mental ways. The boy who convulsed violently (Mark 9:17-27), the man who lived among tombs and cut himself (Mark 5:1-15), and others who were mute or blind (Matt 9:32-33; Matt 12:22)—each showed how demonic influence can cause visible ailments. In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira were not physically attacked by demons but were influenced by Satan to lie. Peter asked, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3). Ananias was a believer, but because he allowed Satan to influence him, he experienced divine discipline in the form of immediate physical death (Acts 5:3-10). In every case, what appeared natural had a deeper spiritual cause.

The influence of Satan and demons upon political rulers is also a sobering reality. Judges 9:23 states, “God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech” (Judg 9:23). While God sovereignly permitted the spirit’s activity to bring about justice for past violence (Judg 9:56-57), the account reveals how spiritual forces can incite political unrest, betrayal, and bloodshed. Similarly, Saul was tormented by an evil spirit that darkened his leadership (1 Sam 16:14-16) and influenced him to try to kill David (1 Sam 18:10-11; 19:9-10). David himself was “incited by Satan” to conduct a census that displeased God and brought judgment upon Israel (1 Chr 21:1). In Ahab’s case, a lying spirit was permitted to deceive him through false prophets, drawing him into battle where he was mortally wounded (1 Ki 22:19-23; 34-35). In Revelation 16:13-14, John sees “spirits of demons, performing signs,” and they go out “to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.” This demonic coordination will culminate in the battle of Armageddon, where Satan’s forces will attempt one final stand against the returning Christ (Rev 19:19-21). It’s a picture of how spiritual deception will lead to political and military defiance of God’s authority. These examples demonstrate that demonic forces often operate behind the curtain of political power, manipulating human pride, ambition, and insecurity to bring about chaos and rebellion.

Satan often exploits normal human desires, as he did with Eve (Gen 3:6) and even attempted with Christ (Matt 4:3), turning natural inclinations into spiritual traps. Prolonged emotional discouragement or physical suffering, especially when accompanied by spiritual stagnation or despair, can also be areas of demonic manipulation. Relational division is another tactic. Paul warned that Satan seeks to outwit believers through unforgiveness and unresolved conflict (2 Cor 2:10-11). Even logistical or circumstantial resistance to gospel work may have satanic fingerprints, as Paul noted: “we wanted to come to you…yet Satan hindered us” (1 Th 2:18). These are not supernatural fireworks—they are ordinary struggles with extraordinary causes. Furthermore, unbelievers are especially vulnerable to satanic deception because of negative volition; as Paul wrote, “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor 4:4).

False teaching is among the most serious forms of spiritual attack because it strikes at the mind—the command center of the soul—and seeks to distort the believer’s understanding of God, grace, salvation, and sanctification. Unlike more obvious attacks such as illness or persecution, doctrinal deception often appears attractive, even spiritual. Paul warns that “in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim 4:1), indicating that such teachings originate not merely from human error, but from demonic influence. This kind of deception can infiltrate churches, seminaries, and pulpits, often through sincere yet misguided individuals who possess only a shallow or distorted understanding of God’s Word. Satan does not usually oppose truth with blatant lies; instead, he substitutes counterfeit gospels, corrupts grace with legalism or license, and undermines Christ’s finished work. As Paul noted, “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14), meaning that spiritual attacks through false teaching are often cloaked in religious language and backed by emotional appeal. The danger lies in its subtlety—what sounds biblical may not be biblical. Discernment is therefore essential, and believers must measure every teaching against the plumb line of God’s Word (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim 2:15).

Recognizing these kinds of spiritual attacks requires discernment. Not every sickness, trial, or temptation is demonic in origin, but some may be. Likewise, not every political crisis is driven by evil spirits, yet Scripture shows that demonic forces do, at times, energize and exploit leaders to carry out destructive agendas—often with devastating consequences in the visible world. Even so, whether the assault is demonic, circumstantial, or self-induced, we are to stand firm by faith, applying God’s Word in every situation. We are not called to panic, speculate, or retreat in fear, but to trust the Lord and stand confidently, knowing He is working sovereignly and providentially.

Thankfully, Scripture not only exposes these schemes but equips us with strategies to stand firm. The command for us it to “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Eph 6:10). Strength comes not from human effort but from dependence on God. The believer is instructed to “put on the full armor of God” (Eph 6:11), which includes truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God. Vigilance in prayer is critical (Eph 6:18; Matt 26:41), as is guarding the mind by “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5b). Walking in biblical truth is the primary safeguard against satanic lies. Furthermore, no believer was designed to fight alone. The Christian community provides support and encouragement (Heb 10:24-25). I have been encouraged on numerous occasions by fellow Christians who provided an encouraging word or offered support by other means, and my spirit was lifted. Ultimately, as Christians, we rest in God’s sovereignty (Psa 103:19), knowing that He controls the events of our lives (Prov 16:9; Dan 4:35), and that no trial or adversity is outside of His will or control. We are confident “that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28), and that He is “for us” (Rom 8:31), having promised, “I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb 13:5).

In conclusion, spiritual warfare is often invisible in origin but manifests in the visible world through temptation, conflict, deception, and suffering. Though Satan works subtly—twisting truth, sowing division, and exploiting natural desires—his strategies are neither new nor unstoppable. Scripture reveals his schemes and equips us to stand firm, not with mystical rituals or fleshly strength, but by walking in truth, wearing the full armor of God, and depending on divine strength (Eph 6:10-18). While we recognize that not every trial is satanic in nature, we remain alert, discerning that spiritual forces may lie behind ordinary circumstances. In all things, we press on toward spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1), continually feeding on God’s Word (Psa 1:2; 1 Pet 2:2) and walking by faith (2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38), knowing that the nearness of God is our good—as Asaph declared, ‘But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge’ (Psa 73:28)

Dr. Steven R. Cook

If this article has enriched your understanding and walk with Christ, and you feel led to support my ministry, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your gifts enable me to continue sharing the gospel of grace and providing in-depth biblical teachings. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission.

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Resist the Devil

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The Apostle Peter, writing to Christians, said, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” (1 Pet 5:8-9). In these verses, Peter issues a dual command to believers, urging them to stay alert to the reality of spiritual warfare and to resist the devil by standing firm in God’s truth and walking by faith. Peter opens with the imperative to “be of sober spirit, be on the alert” (1 Pet 5:8a). This call to spiritual watchfulness reflects the necessity of maintaining a clear, undistracted mental focus in the Christian life. The word “sober” (nēphō) suggests the need to think with clarity and self-discipline, free from the influence of emotional subjectivity or worldly distractions. Pentecost states, “Sobriety has to do with a serious attitude of the mind. It has to do with an outlook on life. Sobriety sees things in their true light.”[1]

Alertness (grēgoreō) further emphasizes watchfulness, a constant readiness to recognize and respond to satanic attacks. The reason for this heightened vigilance is immediately given, as Peter states, “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet 5:8b). Satan, identified as the believer’s personal adversary (antidikos), is described as a relentless predator whose goal is not merely to harm but to devour. Satan seeks to neutralize the believer’s spiritual effectiveness. He often does this by undermining their faith and doctrinal stability. The devil (diabolos) is a slanderer who lies to and about Christians. The image of a “roaring lion” highlights his aggressive and intimidating strategies, which include propaganda tactics of fear, deception, and temptation.

In the next verse, Peter commands believers to “resist him, firm in your faith” (1 Pet 5:9a). The verb “resist” (antistēte) conveys the idea of standing one’s ground, not engaging Satan directly but holding firm by relying on God’s strength and applying biblical truth. Raymer states, “The devil can be and should be resisted. Resist (antistēte) means ‘withstand,’ used also in James 4:7. It is a term of defense rather than attack. Christians may stand firm against Satan only if they depend wholly on Christ, standing firm in the faith.”[2] This resistance is accomplished through faith in God and His Word. The phrase “firm in your faith” (stereoi tē pistei) underscores the importance of divine viewpoint stability, a mental fortress built on the foundation of God’s Word. The word “faith” (pistis) is a noun and refers to what is believed. It points to Bible doctrine that has been internalized in the believer’s soul. By standing firm in their faith, believers are able to resist the devil’s attacks, which often come in the form of suffering, temptation, and lies intended to undermine their confidence in God. Thus, pistis in this context emphasizes God’s Word stored in the soul, enabling the believer to remain steadfast under pressure.

When under attack by the devil, faith is applied by standing firm on God’s Word, obeying His God’s directives, and recalling biblical promises to counter the enemy’s lies and temptations. For example, if the devil attacks by sowing doubt, a believer applies faith by remembering and trusting promises like, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb 13:5) or “We know God works all things together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). God said, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa 41:10). Faith is locking onto God’s promises, focusing on Him rather than the people or circumstances that provoke fear. It’s having confidence in His unchanging character, sovereignty, and faithfulness and trusting Him, not the situation.

Practically, this means rejecting thoughts of fear or defeat by meditating on Scriptures that reinforce God’s power and provision, engaging in prayer, and mentally “lifting up the shield of faith” (Eph 6:16). We do this to extinguish the devil’s fiery arrows of doubt, discouragement, deception, and temptation. For the Christian, this involves identifying aberrant thoughts rooted in lies and deception, forcefully dislodging them to break the pattern of faulty thinking, and replacing them with God’s Word. This process recalibrates our thinking to align with God and His truth, resulting in greater stability in the soul and the ability to stand against Satan and his world-system. Applied faith stabilizes the soul, keeping the believer steady and courageous under spiritual pressure.

Peter adds a crucial perspective by reminding believers that their struggles are not unique, “knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” (1 Pet 5:9b). This statement is both a warning and a source of encouragement. It acknowledges that suffering is a normal part of the Christian life and that Satan often targets believers through external pressures, persecution, and adversity. By recognizing that they are part of a larger community of believers enduring similar trials, Christians can draw strength from the knowledge that God’s grace is sufficient for all who trust Him. The phrase “being accomplished” (epiteleisthai) suggests that these sufferings are not random but part of God’s sovereign plan to mature and refine His people. Satan’s attacks, though fierce, are limited by divine permission and ultimately serve God’s purpose of producing spiritual growth and greater dependence on Him (cf. Rom 5:3-5; 8:28-29; Jam 1:2-4).

These verses present a balanced approach to spiritual warfare. The believer is called to vigilance, divine viewpoint stability, and faith in God’s sovereign control. Satan is a real and formidable adversary, but his power is limited, and his defeat is assured by Christ’s victory on the cross (Col 2:15; Heb 2:14). The key to resisting Satan lies not in direct confrontation but in standing firm in the strength of the Lord, armed with the Word of God and sustained by faith. By maintaining spiritual alertness, applying God’s Word under pressure, and trusting in God’s plan, believers can withstand Satan’s attacks and live victoriously, even in the midst of suffering. This is not a battle won by human effort, but by resting in the power, promises, and provisions of God and His Word.

Dr. Steven R. Cook

If this article has enriched your understanding and walk with Christ, and you feel led to support my ministry, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your gifts enable me to continue sharing the gospel of grace and providing in-depth biblical teachings. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission.

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[1] J. Dwight Pentecost, Your Adversary, the Devil (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 1997), 93.

[2] Roger M. Raymer, “1 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 856.

Satan’s Propaganda Machine

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Satan is a despicable genius who has created a world system which is the ultimate propaganda machine, a vast and sophisticated network of deception designed to enslave the minds of men. As the “god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4), he orchestrates a relentless information war (through various channels), saturating receptive human minds with lies that distort reality, obscure the truth, and keep unbelievers locked in spiritual blindness. His lies permeate every facet of human existence—religious, academic, political, economic, social, recreational, and cultural—conditioning mankind to embrace falsehood as reality. God’s Word informs us humanity is living in an “evil age” (Gal 1:4), under “the dominion of Satan” (Acts 26:18), whose sphere of influence is called “the domain of darkness” (Col 1:13). Satan’s strategy in his world system revolves around three primary objectives: discredit the gospel of grace, neutralize divine truth, and render believers ineffective. His warfare is designed to attack every phase of God’s plan—salvation, spiritual growth, and divine production. The devil knows he’s defeated, but he’s not giving up until the last shot is fired. His goal is to maximize deception, confusion, and distraction to keep both unbelievers and believers out of God’s will.

First, Satan works to discredit the gospel of grace. The cross of Christ is the supreme issue in human history—salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9). But Satan pushes counterfeit gospels—legalism, works-based salvation, sacramentalism, mysticism—anything to obscure the truth (Gal 1:6-9; Rom 10:3). His primary tactic? Blind the minds of the unbelieving so they don’t even see the issue (2 Cor 4:4). Throw up distractions. Promote human morality as a substitute for regeneration. Undermine the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work (John 19:30; Heb 10:10-14). If people can be convinced they must work for salvation or that there are “many paths to God,” then the gospel of grace is effectively neutralized. As God’s children, we must have a firm grasp of the gospel—understanding that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9). Any deviation from this is a satanic counterfeit designed to distort the truth. When a believer departs from this foundation, he inevitably turns inward, wondering whether he has done enough good works to earn or prove his salvation. In the end, assurance is lost, and he operates in fear and uncertainty rather than faith and confidence.

Second, Satan targets divine truth. If he can’t stop a person from being saved, his next move is to distort or neutralize their understanding of Bible doctrine. Satan’s strategies have remained consistent since the Garden of Eden. His first attack was on the integrity of God’s Word. Satan asked Eve, “Indeed, has God said…?” (Gen 3:1). This is the original propaganda technique—casting doubt on divine authority, twisting Scripture, and eventually substituting a lie for absolute truth (Gen 3:4-5). He promises independence, but the result is always enslavement. Jesus said that Satan “does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Through religion, he distorts grace and promotes works-based salvation (Gal 1:6-9). Through philosophy, he injects arrogance, convincing men that reason and science alone can answer life’s ultimate questions. Through culture, Satan redefines morality according to human standards rather than divine mandates. His entire system is a psychological operation—disguising evil as good, darkness as light (Isa 5:20), and slavery as freedom. He’s always twisting the truth. Scripture states, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Col 2:8). Philosophy and tradition that is “according to Christ” will enlighten and empower those who adhere to it, but “empty deception” is for those who reject Him.[1]

Third, Satan works to render believers ineffective. He knows he can’t take away salvation (John 10:28), but he can shut down a believer’s spiritual production. The primary tactic? Distraction—get believers fixated on the world, caught up in self-absorption, buried in the details of life (1 John 2:15-17). If that doesn’t work, he turns to fear and discouragement (2 Tim 1:7). Anything to get the believer off track. If necessary, he’ll push believers into sin patterns that destroy their testimony, break their fellowship with God, and neutralize their spiritual growth (1 John 1:6-9). And if all else fails, he promotes doctrinal instability—keep them confused, keep them untrained, and they’ll never execute the plan of God (Eph 4:14). Corrupt pastors serve Satan by distorting God’s Word, promoting false doctrine, and keeping people spiritually blind (2 Cor 4:4; 2 Tim 4:3-4). They appeal to human pride, emotions, and desires rather than teaching sound doctrine (Jer 23:16-17; Ezek 34:2-6; 2 Tim 4:3). Some knowingly deceive for personal gain (2 Pet 2:1-3), while others are deceived themselves and spread error unknowingly (1 Tim 4:1-2). Satan uses them to weaken believers, divide the Church, and hinder the spread of truth (Acts 20:29-30; Matt 23:13). Ultimately, they serve his agenda by replacing God’s wisdom with human tradition, confusion, and compromise (Col 2:8; 2 Cor 11:3-4).

Spiritual Self Defense

The Christian’s defense against Satan’s relentless attacks is to fortify the soul with divine truth and engage in spiritual warfare using the full armor of God (Eph 6:10-18). The priority for every Christian must be spiritual growth through the consistent intake and application of Bible doctrine (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2), which transforms the mind and guards against deception (Rom 12:2; Col 3:16). As Christians, we cannot live what we do not know, so learning God’s Word necessarily precedes living His will. And once learned, it must be applied by faith, “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7; cf. Heb 10:38). Jesus said, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). James commanded, “prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (Jam 1:22). The walk of faith puts God’s Word into practice.

Sound Bible teaching stabilizes the Christian’s soul by providing divine viewpoint, enabling him to think with truth rather than emotion or human reasoning (Rom 12:2; Col 3:16). When God’s Word saturates the mind, it produces stability, confidence, and discernment. Scripture states, “Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble” (Psa 119:165). This doctrinal foundation equips the believer to recognize and resist Satan’s schemes—whether deception, fear, or temptation, “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Cor 2:11; cf. Eph 6:11-17). Without divine truth, a Christian is vulnerable to doubt, instability, and spiritual defeat, “tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Eph 4:14). The mature Christian, operating by divine viewpoint, remains alert to Satan’s attacks (1 Pet 5:8), stands firm in the faith (1 Pet 5:9), and wields “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Eph 6:17) as a defense against his lies.

The believer must also guard against worldly entanglements, rejecting love for the world and its system of distractions (1 John 2:15-17). Satan’s weapons are neutralized when the believer walks by faith, trusts in God’s promises, and maintains focus on Him and His plan (Rom 12:1-2; 2 Cor 10:5; Col 3:1-2, 16; Heb 12:1-2). The battle is fierce, but God has provided everything necessary for victory through His Word, His Spirit, and His grace (2 Cor 12:9; Gal 5:16). The issue is not whether the believer will be attacked, but whether he will be prepared to stand firm when the attack comes.

Summary

In summary, Satan’s world system is an all-encompassing deception, a calculated assault on divine truth designed to enslave both unbelievers and believers alike. As the master propagandist, he distorts reality, undermines biblical authority, and conditions humanity to embrace falsehood in every sphere of life. His influence is especially potent in academia, culture, and even within the church, where weak pastors and false teachers dilute or pervert sound doctrine, leaving believers spiritually malnourished and ineffective. The only antidote to this deception is a relentless pursuit of biblical truth, daily fortified by the intake and application of God’s Word. Believers must stand firm, rejecting the world’s lies, taking every thought captive to Christ, and aligning their lives with divine viewpoint. Victory in the spiritual battle requires discernment, doctrinal integrity, and unwavering faithfulness to God’s truth.

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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[1] One of Satan’s most effective strategies is the establishment of secular education, which is a direct assault on truth through the institutionalization of human viewpoint. Once founded on biblical principles, many universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Yale, have become propaganda centers for cosmic thinking. Education serves as a primary vehicle for indoctrination, promoting secular humanism, materialism, relativism, and naturalism—all designed to remove God from human consciousness. Evolution is pushed as scientific fact to eliminate the need for a Creator. Postmodernism undermines absolute truth, while Marxist ideology infiltrates the humanities and social sciences, promoting collectivism and utopian visions where man, not God, determines morality and builds a perfect world. The result is a generation enslaved to false ideologies.

Two Fathers, Two Kingdoms: Understanding Spiritual Identity in a Divided World

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Everyone we meet has two fathers. Everyone.[1] They have a biological father and a spiritual father. Biblically, their spiritual father is either God or Satan. The Pharisees incorrectly thought they were children of God, and said to Jesus, “The only Father we have is God himself” (John 8:41). Here’s an example were perception was not equal to reality. Jesus refuted them, saying, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world” (John 8:23), and “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father” (John 8:44a). According to William Hendriksen, “Identity of inner passions and desires establishes spiritual descent: they are constantly desiring to carry out the wishes of the devil; so he must be their father. The devil desires to kill and to lie, and so do they.”[2] We live in a divided world where “the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one” (Matt 13:38; cf., 1 John 3:10).

Satan as ruler of this worldThose who are children of Satan are called “sons of disobedience” (Eph 2:2), are under “the dominion of Satan” (Acts 26:18), and reside in his “domain of darkness” (Col 1:13; cf., Rom 2:19). These walk “in the futility of their mind” (Eph 4:17b), and are “darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart” (Eph 4:18). Paul said that Satan “has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor 4:4). But these are not unwilling victims; for though they are born into Satan’s kingdom and “held captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim 2:26), they also enjoy what he offers and are said to “love the darkness rather than the Light” (John 3:19). The word love in this passage translates the Greek verb agapao (ἀγαπάω), which is in the active voice and means they willingly love the darkness of Satan’s world system and all their affections are tied to it. They continue as residents of his kingdom by choice and not by chance. Freedom awaits them if they want it. Freedom in Christ. But they don’t want freedom. And when given the opportunity to be liberated from their captor, they prefer to clutch their chains of familiar pleasures and practices than to step into the unknown freedom and responsibilities of liberty in Christ. Jesus said of them, “you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life” (John 5:40).

The apostle Paul described them as “men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18), are “without excuse” before God (Rom 1:20), and “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures” (Rom 1:22-23). Of those who are negative and set their wills against God, three times it is written that He “gave them over” to “the lusts of their hearts” (Rom 1:24), and “to degrading passions” (Rom 1:26), and “to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper” (Rom 1:28). Once God permits a person to operate by his sinful passions, that person is given a measure of freedom to live as he wants, but not without consequence, both in time and eternity. Furthermore, “God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness” (2 Th 2:11-12).

To say that Satan is someone’s father also means they are his children by imitation. Jesus said of Satan, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44b). By his actions, Satan became the murderer of souls, directing the first humans into sinful acts that ultimately led to their spiritual death and the enslavement of all mankind (Gen 2:17; 3:1-6; Rom 5:12, 14, 19; 6:23). According to William Hendriksen:

From the very beginning of the history of the human race the devil had murder in his heart, and he actually plunged the human race into the ocean of death, physical, spiritual, and eternal (Rom 5:12; Heb 2:14; 1 John 3:8)…The devil, then, is the very wellspring of lies, the creator of falsehoods (see Gen 3:1, 4; Job 1:9, 10, 11; Matt 4:6, 9; Acts 5:3; 2 Th 2:9, 10, 11). When he lies, he is original. When he does not lie (Acts 16:16, 17), he quotes or even plagiarizes; but even then he gives the borrowed words a false setting, in order to create an illusion. He ever strives to lie and deceive, and this he does in order to murder.[3]

Those who are children of Satan: 1) are spiritually deceived, 2) belong to Satan’s world-system (are of this world), 3) share Satan’s desires, 4) have murder in their hearts, and 5) practice lies and deception to promote their agenda. These persons are generally inclined to harm others spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, or even physically, which endangers the well-being of those near them. As growing Christians, we are to show them love and grace when possible (Matt 5:44-45), but also guard ourselves against their attacks (Acts 20:28; 2 Tim 4:14-15).

Satan is a master strategist who seeks to plant his agents into all organizations whereby they can have a destructive influence on others, especially if they can promote a departure from the Bible and its morals in the NT. These agents of Satan will promote lies, deception, violence, and murder to obtain and retain their places of pride and power. Today, we observe their corrupt influence in the seminaries, government, the press, academic institutions, the military, businesses, sports, entertainment, and society in general. The Christian influence that once guided our country is diminishing, and short of a spiritual awakening, the trend toward evil will only get worse.

As a growing Christian, I am not neutral. I make it a point to study God’s Word every day, walk by faith in the Spirit, speak truth, show love, demonstrate grace, and pray for others (both saints and sinners). If there comes a time when we, as Christians, should face rising persecution, we must be ready. The more time we spend learning God’s Word and walking by faith, the better equipped we will be to stand against attackers who may seek to silence us by whatever means they can.

Bible Promises - 3It is to our benefit to realize we live in a fallen world, and when we walk with God, in total devotion to Christ, the world will reject us. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). We understand that the gospel of grace and solid Bible teaching will, on occasion, threaten other people’s pride and power, and we should not be surprised when they react negatively and with hostility, either verbally or physically. If possible, we are to get along with others and pursue peace (Rom 12:18), but never at the price of neglecting our mission to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15), or gather together for Bible study (Acts 2:42; 2 Tim 2:15), fellowship (Heb 10:25), worship (Eph 5:19-20), and prayer (1 Th 5:17). Because we live in a fallen world, there will be times when we must choose whether we will serve God or man. Of course, the correct choice is, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29; cf. Dan 3:18). And though we may enjoy periods of peace and blessing, the world is currently under Satan’s control, which means it will only get worse, not better. As Christians, we are both realistic and optimistic about the world and the future. Realistic that we will not win the world to Christ during our time on earth (though not for want of effort by sharing the gospel and Bible teaching), and optimistic because we know Christ is coming back and will make everything right when He returns. Lastly, we must keep our focus on God and His Word (Isa 26:3; Col 3:2, 16), as it provides mental and emotional stability when trouble comes (and it will). Adversity is inevitable, and we must handle it by wisdom and faith.

Mature Christians make it their life’s mission to glorify God by learning and living His Word, to share the gospel of grace with others who will listen, edify others with biblical teaching and godly living, and love others sacrificially with integrity. We say with Paul, “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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[1] Jesus is the sole exception, for by the God the Holy Spirit He was supernaturally conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary and was born without original sin or a sin nature. Furthermore, Jesus lived His entire life in perfect obedience to the Father and committed no sin (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5). He said, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). And when He reached the end of His earthly mission, Jesus said to the Father, “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4).

[2] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Gospel According to John, vol. 2, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 60.

[3] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Gospel According to John, vol. 2, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 60-61.

Satan as the Ruler of this World

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     The Bible reveals Satan was originally created a holy angel of the class of cherubim; however, because of pride (Ezek 28:11-18), he rebelled against God (Isa 14:12-14), and convinced many angels to follow him (Rev 12:4, 7). The name Satan is derived from the Hebrew שָׂטָן Satan which means “adversary, opponent…accuser, opposing party…[or] the one who hinders a purpose”[1] The Greek Σατανᾶς Satanas carries the same meaning and is used “in a very special sense of the enemy of God and all of those who belong to God.”[2] Other names for Satan include the shining one, or Lucifer (Isa 14:12), the evil one (1 John 5:19), the tempter (1 Thess 3:5), the devil (Matt 4:1), the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4), the accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10), the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2), the serpent (Rev 12:9), and the great red dragon (Rev 12:3). Further, Satan is a murderer and liar (John 8:44), is compared to a lion that prowls about, looking for someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8), and one who disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14).

     Lucifer became Satan at the time of his rebellion when he declared, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”  (Isa 14:13-14). “The desire of Satan was to move in and occupy the throne of God, exercise absolute independent authority over the angelic creation, bring the earth and all the universe under his authority, cover himself with the glory that belongs to God alone, and then be responsible to no one but himself.”[3] Satan seeks to operate independently of God’s plan for him, and he leads others, both saved and unsaved, to do the same. Lucifer introduced sin and death to the first humans when he convinced them to turn from God and eat the forbidden fruit (Gen 2:16-17; 3:1-7). At the time of the fall, Adam handed his kingdom over to Satan, who has been ruling this world since (Luke 4:5-6; Rev 11:15).

     Satan is permitted, for a time, to rule over the majority in this world. At the time when Jesus began His public ministry, He faced a series of tests from Satan, one of which was an offer to receive the kingdoms of the world without going to the cross. Satan told Jesus, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish” (Luke 4:6). Satan took possession of “this domain and its glory” by God’s permission and man’s sin, presumably, when Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and follow Satan (Gen 3:1-8). Satan said to Jesus, “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours” (Luke 4:7). Satan’s offer had to be true in order for the temptation to be real. At some time in the future, Satan will share his authority with the Antichrist, because he advances his agenda (Rev 13:1-2). Three times Jesus referred to Satan as “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Other passages of Scripture call Satan “the god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4), and “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2), informing us “that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). Satan rules as a tyrant who has “weakened the nations” (Isa 14:12), and currently “deceives the whole world” (Rev 12:9). He personally attacked Adam and Eve (Gen 3:1-7), Job (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-13), David, (1 Chr 21:1), Joshua the high priest (Zec 3:1-2), Jesus (Matt 4:1-11), Judas (John 13:27), and Peter (Luke 22:31-32). He continues to attack God’s people today (1 Pet 5:8), practices deception (2 Cor 11:13-15), and has well developed strategies of warfare (Eph 6:10-12). Furthermore, humanity is living in an “evil age” (Gal 1:4), under “the dominion of Satan” (Acts 26:18), whose sphere of influence is called “the domain of darkness” (Col 1:13).

     As Christians, we have victory in Christ. At the moment we trusted Christ as Savior, God “rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14). As Christians, we have been gifted with God’s own righteousness (Rom 5:17; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9), and will never face condemnation (Rom 8:1). Furthermore, God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3), and called us to serve as “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor 5:20), sharing the gospel message with others.

     God the Father has promised to give Jesus the kingdoms of this world, saying, “I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession” (Psa 2:8; cf. Isa 2:1-5; Dan 2:44; 7:14). This will occur after the seven-year Tribulation; at which time it will be said, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever” (Rev 11:15; cf. 20:1-3). Satan was judged at the cross (John 12:31; 16:11; Col 2:14-15), and awaits future punishment. His judgment is very near when he is cast out of heaven during the Tribulation (Rev 12:7-12); at which time his wrath is greatest against Israel. After the return of Christ (Rev 19:11-16) and the establishment of His kingdom (Rev 20:1-6), Satan will be confined to the abyss for a thousand years (Rev 20:1-3). Afterwards, he is released for a brief time and will again deceive the nations and lead a rebellion against God (Rev 20:7-8), but will be quickly defeated (Rev 20:9), and cast into the Lake of Fire, where he will remain, with his demons and all unbelievers forever (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10-15).

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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Audio lesson on Satan as the Ruler of this World

[1] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 1317.

[2] William Arndt, Frederick W. Danker, and Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 916.

[3] J. Dwight Pentecost, Your Adversary the Devil (Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan Publishing, 1969), 25-26.

A Demonic Encounter

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Camp Cedar Crest Sign

It was summertime in southern California. The year was 1976 and I was nine years of age. My parents put me on a church bus and shipped me off to Camp Cedar Crest for a week. The sights and smells of the forest were wonderful. The camp was nestled in the mountains of southern California, and I spent each day with friends. We hiked, played baseball, swam, studied the Bible, and sang around the campfire. There was a big, open dining hall where everyone ate together. I remember the tall A-frame ceiling and the rows of tables that were lined up straight. I’ll never forget that someone dared me to sniff pepper. I sneezed about a dozen times. Everyone laughed. I never did that again. I had good fun at the camp and was glad I went.  

Camp rules required that I always be with a friend when walking around camp. It was smart because it was easy to get lost if you wandered away. I was with two friends one time and we wandered up a hill just beyond the swimming pool. We climbed on top of two round boulders that were as big as cars. The boulders were leaning against each other, and we sat on one with our feet on the other. As we sat and talked, one of my friends pushed with his legs and noticed that the boulder in front of us moved a little. We looked at each other with big smiles, and all together began to rock that boulder back and forth with our feet until it fell forward. To our surprise, that giant boulder began to roll downhill toward the camp and we looked at each other in sheer panic. Fortunately, after rolling several times, the boulder hit a few trees and came to a loud, crashing stop. The impact bent several trees toward the camp. As we jumped off the boulder on which we were perched, we heard someone running up the hill and saw a camp counselor headed our way. He came to inspect the sound of the rolling boulder and the crash it made as it hit the trees. We admitted we had pushed the boulder over, but did not intend for it to go as far as it did. We all got in trouble for going outside the camp bounds that day. My punishment consisted of a reprimand and spending thirty minutes at the cabin with my nose pressed into a small circle drawn on a chalkboard. I’ll never forget that rolling boulder or the smell of that chalkboard.

It was not all sunshine and fun for some of the kids at camp that summer. In our cabin there was a boy who kept to himself. I remember he woke one night, trembling and shaking, holding onto the edge of the steel bunk bed as he cried. Many of the kids avoided him, not knowing anything about him. He rarely talked and kept to himself. He seemed to do his best to hide, hoping to make it through the week unnoticed. I had no way of knowing there was something wrong; something dark. A demon was at work in our cabin.

On the last night of camp everyone was gathered at the amphitheater where we sang songs and watched a movie on a big screen. I think the movie was Herbie Rides Again, which had come out a year or two before. Even though it was summertime, I remember the evenings got cold in the mountains, and I had forgotten to bring my jacket with me. I asked a camp counselor if I could run back to my cabin and grab my sleeping bag. He said yes, but to take a friend or two with me. Two of my friends ran with me as we cut across paths and raced to our cabin. We entered the cabin and turned on the light and to our surprise we saw a boy huddled in the corner. It was the same boy who had been having bad dreams during the week and avoiding others. He was sitting in the darkness, crouched in the corner, as though terrified of someone or something. 

I remember telling the boy he was not supposed to be at the cabin alone because everyone was at the amphitheater watching the movie. He just stared at me. My friends and I approached him and he stood up. He moved away from the corner and positioned himself between two of the bunk beds that were against the wall. His eyes darted around the room as though some danger was present. He looked afraid and I felt compassion for him. I remember my grandmother praying with me when I was afraid, and without much thought, I asked him if it was alright if we prayed for him. To my surprise, he slowly nodded, and we approached him with arms outstretched toward his shoulders. A look of fear washed over his face as he quickly walked backward. His eyes were darting around and his facial movements quickened as we closed the gap of only a few feet between us. Suddenly, his head bowed and he became calm, eerily calm, with his shoulders limp at his side, standing like a lifeless doll. 

We prayed as our hands rested on the boy’s shoulders. We were praying a simple prayer to God as only children can do. Our prayer contained no great theology or eloquent speech. There was only a basic understanding from Scripture that we could call on God the Father in the name of Jesus in a time of need. It was simple faith simply applied. Suddenly the boy in front of us turned violent. He threw up his arms and knocked away our hands. He turned and grabbed hold of the steel frame of the bunk bed and began to rock it back and forth with great strength. He began to throw suitcases at us—the suitcases we’d packed earlier in anticipation of leaving the next morning. Without any thought, I grabbed him by the waist and wrestled him to the ground. His strength was more than I could handle, and my two friends jumped on top of him and helped hold his arms and legs to prevent his violence from causing harm. 

It was at that moment he began to growl. Deep guttural sounds came from him, sounds too deep for a human voice. He tossed his head back and forth, from right to left, and kept growling like a wild animal. I could feel the deep vibration in the tone of his voice. I was frightened. I wanted to run, but was afraid to let go. Then his head stopped for a moment and our eyes met. That’s when I knew. His once brown eyes were now frosty white. I could see the outline of an iris and pupil, but they were shades of white; not brown and black like before. Something had changed physically in the boy and I was staring into the eyes of what appeared to be a demon. I cried out to my friends to look, and when they saw what I saw, together we started crying out to the Lord for help. The boy continued to whip his head back and forth and occasionally stop and stare at me. I knew there was something supernatural at work; something dark. My friends and I lay on the floor of the cabin, shaking, hearts racing, too afraid to let go, and calling out to the only One we knew could help us.

After nearly ten minutes, the boy began to calm down. The growling began to subside. His head stopped turning from side to side and he looked upward toward the ceiling. After about a minute, I watched his eyes slowly fade from white to brown. Suddenly, the boy’s facial expression turned from anger to confusion. He looked around the room in bewilderment and wanted to know how he got on the floor and why we were holding him. I was fearful it was some sort of demonic trick and asked my friends not to release him for a few minutes. After we saw his eyes remain normal for a little bit, and his strength and behavior seemed normal, we let go of him and lifted him to his feet. He said the last thing he remembered was us praying over him and being extremely afraid, although he did not know why he was afraid. 

The boy then conveyed what he saw in his mind after we started praying for him. At first, he said he could hear our prayers, but our voices gradually softened and then there was silence. He said he was standing in complete darkness, when there appeared a light from above. Like a spotlight, it shone on a dark figure that was tall, dressed in a black cloak, with red eyes. The light appeared to cause distress to the dark figure, although it made no sound. The boy said he watched the figure thrash its arms around as though trying to fight off the light, but it could not. Slowly the figure began to fall backwards, swinging its arms violently as it fell, and after about ten minutes, it finally hit the ground. The boy said after the light faded away, he suddenly became aware us laying over him on the ground and crying out to the Lord for help. We were stunned at his account. 

We grabbed him by his arms and with nervous excitement we marched back up to the main campground and grabbed the nearest adult we could find and exclaimed a demon had just been cast out of this boy. We were so nervous and excited, we kept repeating ourselves. Several adults took the boy from us and went into a nearby room where they prayed over him and shared the gospel message. About twenty minutes later the boy emerged and came and talked with us. He said someone in his family was involved in occult practices and several months earlier he’d been encouraged to invite a “friendly spirit” into his life to help guide him. He accepted the invitation and welcomed the spirit into his life. That’s when his life changed for the worse and his fears and nightmares began. By the time we finished talking, the movie had ended and it was time to go back to our cabins for the night. I barely slept a wink. I doubt the other boys did either. 

This personal story is true as best I remember. My thoughts and memories are adequately clear to lead me to think this was a legitimate case of demon possession. I realize only those who were there that night can verify this account, and I’ve not been able to contact any of them since that event.

Looking back, I believe the turning point in the boy’s life was not that night in the cabin but months earlier when he willingly invited what he believed to be a “friendly spirit” into his life. That invitation opened the door to something far darker than he could have imagined. Satan seldom presents himself as an enemy. He disguises evil as something good, appealing, and helpful. That deception lies at the very heart of the occult.

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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