Of all the subjects related to Christianity, there isn’t one quite like Satan and the demons. Almost everyone has heard about them. Most people believe in evil spirits. We think that we know quite a bit about them, too. The subject is scary, but intriguing. We are drawn to these evil powers by some strange magnetism. We also dread the thought of the devil on the loose, terrorizing the planet.
What most people believe about evil spirits is not so much based on what the handbook for Christianity—the Bible—says about demons. Our beliefs come largely from a long history of superstition, hearsay, folklore, and popular entertainment.
This study is based on the conviction that the Bible is our one reliable source of truth about the devil. We are going to look at what the Scriptures say about Satan, demons, spiritual warfare, and the occult. We won’t ignore all of the folklore, but will test the stories against biblical truth.
Be prepared, however, for some disappointment if you think that all of your questions are going to be answered. Many times the Bible does not address our inquiries with the detail that we would like. But we will find ourselves hopelessly tangled in all of the folklore if we wander from the Scriptures. We will be helpless to discern the truth about Satan from all of the hype. Serious study about a formidable enemy will fall victim to sensationalism.
So strap yourself in and get ready for an informative and profitable ride through the scary world of Satan, demons, and the occult.