Handling Demonic/Satan topics from a Christian perspective.
Q: Someone I know is interested in Satan and demons. How can I deal with this from a Christian perspective.
A: well, this has addressed the topic, and the below can be an additional guide to its suggestions.
Dealing with matters of Satanism & Demonology:
From a biblical perspective, the key would be to both (1) take the topic of demons seriously, since Scripture does, and (2) have cinvos but not get sidetracked into mere speculation or sensationalism, but definitely to use it to pivot to Christ and the gospel.
Here’s a framework for how such a conversation might go:
1. Start with Curiosity, Not Condemnation
If they’re reading a book on demonology (especially by a non-believer), you might ask:
“What about this book interests you most?”
“Do you feel like it’s helping you understand evil or the supernatural better?”
This shows respect and opens a window into their deeper interest—whether it’s fear, fascination, power, or seeking answers.
2. Acknowledge the Reality of Spiritual Forces
From a Christian (truth) standpoint, we affirm that demons are real, but not ultimate:
“You know, the Bible actually talks about spiritual beings too—but it’s careful to show that they’re created, limited, and under God’s authority.”
“Unlike what some writers suggest, demons aren’t equal-opposite powers to God. They’re more like rebel creatures who can only go as far as He permits.”
This grounds the conversation in Scripture (Eph. 6:12, Col. 2:15, Job 1).
3. Pivot to the Gospel by Showing the Greater Reality
The Christian emphasis is always: Christ is King, and His victory is central.
“What’s interesting is, whenever demons show up in the Bible, the spotlight isn’t really on them—it’s on Jesus. They tremble before Him. He casts them out with a word.”
“The real question isn’t just, ‘Do demons exist?’ but ‘What hope do we have in a world where evil is real?’ And the Bible’s answer is: Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).”
This shifts focus from fear of the demonic to the triumph of Christ.
4. Expose the Deeper Longing
If they’re drawn to demonology, it may reveal:
●a longing for power over evil,
●a search for knowledge of hidden things,
●or simply a recognition that evil is real.
You can say:
“I get why this stuff is interesting—evil is real, and it’s scary. But what I’ve found is that the Bible not only names evil, it shows the only real victory over it: Jesus dying and rising. That’s how God deals with dearh and Satan our enemy once and for all.”
5. Invite Reflection
“Have you ever thought about why Jesus spent so much time confronting demons? It wasn’t to make us curious about them, but to show that He’s the Savior who frees us from sin, death, and Satan.”
“If evil is real, then don’t you think we need more than knowledge about it—we need rescue from it?”
This moves them toward the gospel personally.
Key Christian Anchors:
God’s sovereignty over all things (Job 1, Luke 22:31).
Christ’s victory over Satan at the cross (Col. 2:15).
The danger of fascination with the demonic vs. devotion to Christ (Deut. 18:10–12, Acts 19:19).
The gospel as rescue from the dominion of darkness into Christ’s kingdom (Col. 1:13–14).
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Sample Conversation
Friend:
I’ve been reading this book on demonology. It’s crazy how much hidden knowledge is out there that churches never talk about.
You:
Yeah, I can see why that’d be fascinating. What’s the part that stood out to you most?
Friend:
That demons are everywhere influencing people, and most people don’t even know it. It makes me think we’re in way more danger than we realize.
You:
You know, the Bible actually says something similar—that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. So in that sense, the book isn’t completely off. But here’s the difference: Scripture doesn’t leave us with fear. It shows that all those powers are still under God’s authority.
Friend:
But if they’re that powerful, how can anyone stand against them?
You:
That’s the amazing part. Whenever demons show up in the gospels, they’re terrified of Jesus. They beg Him not to destroy them before the time. He doesn’t struggle or chant—He just speaks, and they have to obey. That’s because the real battle isn’t between equal powers of good and evil. Jesus is King, and they know it.
Friend:
So you think demons are real, but not as powerful as people think?
You:
Exactly. They’re real, but created, and completely defeated at the cross. Colossians says Jesus “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame.” The real issue isn’t learning demonology, it’s whether we belong to Christ, because apart from Him, we are vulnerable—not just to demons, but to sin and death itself.
Friend:
So what do you think the point is of the Bible talking about demons at all?
You:
Honestly, it’s to magnify Jesus. Evil is real, but the gospel is God’s rescue. If evil unsettles you, that’s a good thing—it means you’re seeing reality. But it also points to the deeper question: how do we escape it? And the Bible’s answer is that only Jesus frees us from the dominion of darkness and brings us into His kingdom.
Friend:
That’s interesting—I never thought about it that way.
You:
Can I ask—when you think about evil, do you feel more curious, or more afraid? Because the gospel speaks to both: it gives us truth, and it gives us peace.
That kind of flow takes their curiosity seriously, affirms what’s true, corrects what’s distorted, and then points them to the gospel, not demons.
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If the friend/bf/spouse isnt hitting the expected responses as above, you could say those for him in a question form, to get a yes or no. Get clarity and keep going.
Example:
You:
Yeah, I can see why that’d be fascinating. What’s the part that stood out to you most?
Friend:
I dont know...
You:
Is it posdibly the thought -That demons are everywhere influencing people, and most people don’t even know it. It makes me think we’re in way more danger than we realize. ?
Friend:
Yes. Blah blah blah
You: (go right to where you left off)-
You know, the Bible actually says something similar—that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. So in that sense, the book isn’t completely off. But here’s the difference: Scripture doesn’t leave us with fear. It shows that all those powers are still under God’s authority.
You basically want to guide the convo and include Scripture.
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Here is a short Scripture “toolbox”— a handful of verses you could easily use in such convos to pivot from demonology to Christ.
Scripture Toolbox for Conversations about Demonology
1. Demons Are Real, but Limited
• Job 1:12 – Satan could only act within God’s permission.
• Luke 22:31–32 – Satan asked to sift Peter, but Christ prayed for his faith.
•
➡️ Point: They’re not ultimate powers—they’re creatures under God’s sovereignty.
2. Christ’s Authority Over Demons
• Mark 1:27 – “Even the unclean spirits obey Him!”
• Luke 11:20 – “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
•
➡️ Point: Jesus isn’t one force among many; He rules absolutely. He is God.
3. The Cross as the Great Victory
• Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in the cross.”
• Hebrews 2:14–15 – Through death, Christ destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.
➡️ Point: The decisive battle is already won at Calvary.
4. From Darkness to Light
• Colossians 1:13–14 – “He has delivered 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.”
• 1 John 3:8 – “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
➡️ Point: The gospel isn’t just forgiveness—it’s rescue from Satan’s dominion.
5. The Danger of Fascination
• Deuteronomy 18:10–12 – God forbids occult practices.
*It leads people further into the demonic.
• Acts 19:18–19 – New believers in Ephesus burned their occult books after coming to Christ.
➡️ Point: God doesn’t want us fixated on demons—He wants us focused on Christ.
6. Our Assurance in Christ
• Romans 8:38–39 – “Neither angels nor rulers… nor powers… nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.”
• 1 John 4:4 – “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
➡️ Point: The believer doesn’t live in fear, but in confidence because Christ dwells within us.
🗣️ How to Use This Toolbox
When your friend brings up demonology:
• Acknowledge truth where you can (evil is real).
• Redirect fascination toward Christ’s supremacy.
• Use a verse naturally in the flow of conversation—not as a weapon, but as a window into Christ.
• End with hope—the gospel rescues us from fear and evil, death's power & Hell.
Related Resources:
1. God, Satan, and Angels (1983)
This book provides a comprehensive biblical study on the nature and roles of God, Satan, and angels. Here, John MacArthur explores their origins, purposes, and the spiritual dynamics at play, offering insights into the unseen realm from a biblical perspective. It's widely used in Bible studies and seminary courses.
2. Standing Strong: How to Resist the Enemy (2011)
In this work, MacArthur examines the reality of spiritual warfare, the nature of the enemy, and how believers can stand firm in their faith. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the enemy's tactics and relying on God's strength to resist temptation and deception.
3. Christian Doctrines
Angelology is covered in Chapter 8 and covers Satanology and Demonology, that demons are real, fallen angels led by Satan, are active in the world. Christians can experience demonic influence or oppression, but the Holy Spirit provides protection. MacArthur emphasizes a biblical, balanced approach—resisting demonic activity through prayer, Scripture, and spiritual vigilance, while avoiding sensationalism.
Sermons and Articles
1. Sermon: Satan: Is He? Who Is He? (1975)
In this sermon, MacArthur delves into the character and activities of Satan, aiming to unmask him as the defeated foe he is. He discusses Satan's origins, his fall, and his ongoing schemes against humanity.
2. Sermon: "Satan: How Does He Operate?" (1975)
In this sermon, MacArthur explores the methods and strategies employed by Satan to deceive and lead people astray. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing these tactics to stand firm in the faith.
3. Article: Why We Should Not Fear Satan and Demons (2017)
Co-authored with Richard Mayhue, this article addresses common misconceptions about Satan and demons. It encourages believers to understand the biblical truths about spiritual warfare and to live confidently in the victory Christ has secured.
4. Sermon: The Coming Demonic Invasion (2024)
MacArthur discusses the future intensification of demonic activity as prophesied in Revelation, urging Christians to be vigilant and prepared for spiritual challenges ahead.
It discusses the reality of demonic activity and its implications for believers. He examines biblical passages that describe the influence of demons and provides guidance on how Christians can resist their influence.
5. Article: "Why We Should Not Fear Satan and Demons" (2017)
Co-authored with Richard Mayhue, this article addresses common misconceptions about Satan and demons. It encourages believers to understand the biblical truths about spiritual warfare and to live confidently in the victory Christ has secured.
6. Article: "And Nothing But the Truth"
This article critiques the growing fascination with spiritual warfare strategies that focus on territorial demons and strongholds. MacArthur warns against unbiblical approaches and emphasizes the sufficiency of Scripture in addressing spiritual battles.
7. Sermon: "Jesus' Authority over Demons, Part 2"
In this sermon, MacArthur examines the authority of Jesus over demonic forces, highlighting His power to cast out demons and the implications for believers today.
Additional Resources
1. "Strange Fire Conference: Testing the Spirits" (2013) At this conference, pastors address the rise of unbiblical practices and emphasizes the need to test the spirits according to Scripture. Warning against unbiblical teachings and practices related to the supernatural.
2.Resisting the Devil (2022)
This resource focuses on the practical aspects of spiritual warfare, offering guidance on how believers can resist the devil's schemes through biblical truths and reliance on God's power.
These resources provide a robust Biblical perspective on Satan and demonology, emphasizing biblical truth, spiritual vigilance, and the supremacy of Christ over all spiritual forces. If you're interested in exploring these topics further, these materials would be a valuable starting point.
