For a long time, I struggled with the idea of Satan. Was he real? What does he look like? Does he walk the earth, take over people, or appear as shadows? These were honest questions I had when I first started following Christ.
At the time, I thought people themselves were just “evil.” But as I grew in my walk with Christ, I realized something different: people aren’t Satan — but Satan and his demons are at work everywhere, tempting, deceiving, and disguising themselves as good.
Paul warned us of this very thing:
“Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14
Satan is not a cartoon figure with horns and a pitchfork. He’s the ruler of this world (John 12:31), actively working to separate us from God, just as he did in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.
How Satan Works
Demons aren’t usually obvious. They slip in quietly, tempting us with something that looks good but leads to destruction.
I’ve seen it even in the church. For example, two lonely people meet, assume their connection must be from God because it started in church, and rush into marriage. When it falls apart, they blame God and sometimes leave the church altogether. That isn’t God’s will — that’s Satan twisting something that looked right into pain and division.
Satan loves to sow lies and resentment. I remember a girlfriend who quit drinking because I pushed her to. She didn’t quit for herself or for Christ, but to keep me from leaving. That resentment grew until it destroyed our relationship. The “good” thing was done for the wrong reason, and the enemy used it against us.
Free Will and Responsibility
Why doesn’t God stop it? The answer is free will. God allows us to choose. Satan takes advantage of that, but it also gives us the freedom to resist him and choose Christ.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7
The more I’ve grown in Christ, the more I see how real Satan is — not as a mythical figure, but as a present enemy who thrives on division, resentment, and falsehood.
Where I Am Today
I no longer dismiss Satan’s existence or influence. I believe demons are active in this world, whispering lies, disguising evil as good, and doing whatever they can to pull us from God.
But I also know this: Christ is greater. Satan is real, but he is not equal to God. And in Christ, we already have victory.
“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
— 1 John 4:4
I’m still learning, but this is where I’ve landed: Satan exists, demons are active, and we need to stay vigilant. But we don’t live in fear — we live in Christ, who has overcome the world.
Prayer
Father, thank You for opening my eyes to the reality of spiritual warfare. Help me not to live in fear but in faith, knowing that Christ has already won the victory. Give me discernment to recognize the enemy’s lies and strength to resist him. Keep my heart and mind focused on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.