Satan is a real being/force, not just symbolic

A spiritual battle rages unseen between the forces of good and evil. At the axis lies belief in Satan – not as mere myth or symbol, but as very real entity actively opposing God’s purposes with malignant intent. However, just 27% of Americans and 40% of Christians affirm Satan’s actual existence and malevolent workings in the world. This reveals profound spiritual blindness, perhaps explaining other theological gaps as well.

Dismissing Satan as fictional aligns with secularism’s denial of the spiritual realm altogether. But when six out of ten Christians relegate the devil to mere metaphor, it signals serious deficiencies in biblical discernment and guarding against deception. A cartoonish red figure with pitchfork mocks but an insidious liar who prowls seeking souls to devour demands sober awareness.

Several factors likely contribute to this. Enlightenment rationalism scoffs at supernatural realities beyond empirical perception. Contemporary culture writes off evil as ignorance, psychological pathology or social oppression – anything but willful demonic targeting of individuals and communities. And therapeutic individualism rejects any limitations on personal autonomy, including accountability before divine judgment.

But the roots may trace back to diluted biblical literacy. Downplaying Scripture’s copious warnings about cunning powers of darkness erodes spiritual vigilance. Bad doctrine yields bad practice. When the devil fades into abstraction, the reality of hell's eternal danger fades as well, replaced by flimsy works-righteousness. And if no ultimate divine accountability exists, moral relativism seems perfectly sane.

In any case, this yawning 13 percentage point gap even between Christians and general public on acknowledging Satan’s existence and present activity should raise alarms for church leaders everywhere. It suggests ignorance among flocks about the urgent need for spiritual discernment and protection against sophisticated deceits. But well-taught, Scripture-saturated believers can develop keen radar for the devil’s tactics to divide, accuse, tempt and terrorize. Just as Jesus confronted Satan’s schemes by rightly wielding Old Testament truth, so too must the church equip Christians today to combat beguiling satanic lies with the sword of the Spirit.

So pastors must intentionally reinforce biblical teaching on the reality of personal evil at work through Satan and demons. Every small group should regularly intercede against spiritual strongholds in their communities. And ordinary Christians must lovingly warn families and neighbors against dismissing the devil as mere fairy tale – nothing less than souls hang in the balance.