One of my freshman English classes at college was taught by a Marine Corp officer, combat veteran of Vietnam. The only text book I remember from that class was the book The Exorcist by William Blatty. The Exorcist is a book about demonic possession and the attempted exorcism of the young girl who was possessed. It is a novel based on a true story.

The book was read aloud in class and we were to read at home also. We discussed the book endlessly through out the semester. The movie came out that year and it was an assignment. The teacher took a roll call outside the theatre and we sat together. The movie, the book, the whole thing gave me the creeps. I couldn’t tell you what we were supposed to have learned, but I never forgot the class.

Among Americans, 50% believe that Satan is a living fallen being created by God. About 50% believe Satan is just a symbol of evil. Those percentages depend on which survey you want to read. If we are to believe Jesus was who he says he was and then he talks to Satan in the Bible in several situations, don’t you think we should believe in Satan?

Several years ago I was watching a sermon online from a well known pastor from a mega church in the Midwest. He said, “We have surveyed our membership and a third of you believe in Satan, a third of you don’t and a third of you don’t know what to think and I am not sure either.”

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis was a conversation between two demons. Screwtape tells Wormwood that the most effective thing he can do to bring souls to hell is to convince people that Satan does not exist.

Job 1: 6-7 There was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan also came. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered, “From going to and fro on the earth.”

1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God and the world lies in the power of the evil one.

1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.