Daniel Seabaugh

It’s not a popular perspective, even in the church. I wish there were a nicer way to say it, but that would feel slightly dishonest. Satan is not your friend. He exists, and his main objective is to lie to you, steal from you, and kill everything and everyone you love. Satan hates you and wants you to die.

Sadly, many people choose to ignore him or deny his existence. Many play fast and loose with spookiness culture as if it’s merely an entertainment option. Meanwhile, Satan picks people off one at a time. He lies to them about God, themselves, and others, causing disillusionment that often manifests itself as mental health, political polarization, and confusion about what it means to be human and how one can live a happy, fulfilling life.

Before I was a Christian, I dabbled in horror movies and other activities that were arguably demonic. I was drawn to darkness. But when Jesus saved me, my desire for darkness changed. I wanted to be part of the light. I longed to chase goodness, faithfulness, and beauty. I yearned for friendships that were full of grace and truth, not deception or debauchery.

As the famous line from the 1995 film The Usual Suspects says, “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.” Many are convinced he isn’t real. They lay all the blame for life’s problems on their circumstances, the people in power, or the men and women around them. Of course, not all opposition is from Satan or his demons. Sometimes we just lie to ourselves or believe lies others tell. But as Paul reminds us,

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

—Ephesians 6:12 (CSB)

The reason I share this is to sound an alarm of sorts. There are two spiritual beings pursuing you daily. One is Satan. He hates you and everyone you love. The other is God. He is for you, loves you, and wants to see you thrive.

There’s a line in a Josh Garrels song where he sings, “Savior and enemy are both trying to take my soul, and I can’t hide no more.” Both God and Satan are pursuing your soul. You have a choice to make. Either surrender to God and his will for your life, finding peace beyond your wildest imagination; or, knowingly or unknowingly, give yourself over to Satan, where, once you enter his realm, the door behind you shuts forever and a felt darkness overpowers you.

If Satan hates you and wants you to die, the opposite is also true: God loves you and wants you to live.

Choose the light, my friend! Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:8).

I’m praying for your soul.