How do I Reach Satanists for Christ?
Who are they?
Satanists are those who worship Satan and/or follow the teaching that he represents. There are two major types of Satanists typically. First of all there are self-taught Satanists. This kind of Satanist makes up their own rules. They perform rituals to conjure up Satanic empowerment. Oftentimes these type of Satanists have a few friends that participate in these rituals with them. Heavy metal music that focuses on themes of death, Satan, murder and sex are many times very influential on this type of Satanist. Ritual sacrifices of animals (and in extreme cases humans) are sometimes part of the rituals that self-taught Satanists may engage in. The second major type of Satanist is part of the Church of Satan. They base their beliefs largely on the teachings of Anton LaVey, author of the Satanic bible. Because the vast majority of teenaged Satanists are self-taught, we will limit this section to understanding their beliefs and how to reach them for Jesus Christ.
Some common beliefs among self-styled Satanists:
Belief in Occultic Power:
According to Ron Carlson and Ed Decker in their book Fast Facts on False Teachings, "The word 'occult' is derived from the Latin term occultus, which refers to hidden or secret things. It refers to the incursion of a fourth dimension, a spirit realm, into our three-dimensional world." Those involved with self-taught Satanism believe that this power can be conjured and harnessed for their personal purposes.
Biblical View:
"Let no one be found among you who...practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells.... Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD...." Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Belief in a Personal, Powerful Being Named Satan:
Self-taught Satanists typically do not believe that Satan is a myth, but a very powerful entity who can answer their prayers, empower their souls and change their lives. The occultic rituals are done with this in mind.
Biblical View:
"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: 'Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down." Revelation 12:10
Belief in Rituals and Incantations to Summon Demonic Empowerment
Self-taught Satanists commonly practice rituals that seek to conjure up demonic involvement and empowerment. These rituals may include animal and, in extreme cases, human sacrifices. These rituals are done to demonstrate the commitment of the subject to Satan and his demonic forces. Incantations, sexual ritual, etc. can also be a part of their worship of Satan. Displays of unique powers can be a sign of demon possession.
Biblical View:
Behind occultic "powers" lurk demonic entities.
"Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.' She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, 'In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!'' At that moment the spirit left her." Acts 16:16-18
An Anti-Christ Attitude:
Most self-taught Satanists display open, oftentimes vulgar hatred of Christ and Christians. Some of this is due to the fact that they have an intense hatred for organized religion and desire to make it known.
Biblical View:
What self-taught Satanists need to know is that Christ Himself had a strong distaste for organized religion. He preached hard against the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His time.
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. Woe to you, blind guides!" Matthew 23:15
Clothing and Music to Shock:
Self-taught Satanists tend to dress the same, look the same and act the same. They tend to be fans of certain types of heavy metal music (Marilyn Manson, AC/DC, Megadeath, Black Sabbath, etc.) and tend to dress in black, goth-like clothing. They often want to stand out from the crowd and make a public statement of their personal religious (or anti-religious) leanings. They do this through shocking dress and music. (Though many Satanists tend to portray this image, we do not believe that all teens who live this lifestyle are Satanists.)
Biblical view:
God calls us to focus on positive truths not negative facades.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8,9
What do they believe?
About sin?
They believe that if there is such thing as sin then it is to be participated in and enjoyed. Anything that God hates, they love.
Biblical view:
Sin brings short-term happiness (Hebrews 11:25) but long-term damnation (Romans 6:23).
About the Trinity?
Some Satanists believe in the Triune God (and want to rail against Him); others do not.
Biblical view:
There is one God and yet three Persons (Isaiah 45:5; Deuteronomy 6:4; James 2:19).
About Jesus?
Some Satanists believe that Jesus existed and others do not.
Biblical view:
Jesus is fully God and fully man. He is the Creator, Ruler, Judge and Savior of the entire universe (John 1:1, 14, 18; 8:58; 10:30; Titus 2:13; Colossians 1:15-17).
About salvation?
To a Satanist, salvation represents a close relationship with their personal god, Satan. They often view the Christian concept of salvation as a joke for the weak-minded religious person.
Biblical view:
Only through salvation do we have true happiness. Jesus said,
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10.
About the Bible?
Satanists usually don't believe in absolute truth. They look at the Bible as a book for the religious that is full of myths and errors.
Biblical view:
The Bible alone is the word of God. It is without error. It cannot be added to or subtracted from (2 Timothy 3:16-4:4; Revelation 22:18-20).
How to witness to them:
- Read My Difficult Friend
- Use the four basic questions as outlined in My Difficult Friend
- Focus on the real Jesus of the Bible and His absolute distaste for the rule-ridden, religious leaders of His day. Take them to Matthew 23 and have them read for themselves how hard Jesus was on those who were religious hypocrites. The more that these self-taught Satanists can see Jesus as a rebel against the religious system, the more they will be able to identify with Him as someone who understands their deepest inner conflicts.
Various questions to ask Satanists:
- "How do you know that Satanism is the truth?"
- "What if you are wrong?"
- "What if Satan does lose in the end and he and his followers are condemned to hell?"
- "Are you sure that Jesus is the problem? Aren't hypocritical religious people more of a problem than Christ?"
- "What if you found out that Christ was who He claimed to be and more than He was cracked up to be? Would you consider switching sides?"
Helpful Hints:
Refuse to be Shocked:
One of the things that Satanists want to do is shock and scare you. When you aren't, it often takes them off guard. Look them square in the eye, smile and refuse to let their clothes, appearance, or attitude throw you off.
Choose to be Loving:
No matter what it takes, show them the love of Jesus Christ. Listen to them. Care for them. Many times self-taught Satanists come from homes where they didn't receive a lot of love. When they see it in you, it shocks them and takes them off guard.
Pray! Pray! Pray!
Satan laughs at our efforts but he trembles when we pray!
Recommended reading:
- The Occult, J. McDowell & D. Stewart. San Bernardino, CA: Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1992.
- When the Devil Dares Your Kids, B & G Passantino. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant., 1991.
- Demons in the World Today, M.F. Unger. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1971.
- Satanism, Bob & Gretchen Passantino. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.
