Satan and the Occult - Chapter Four

by Bruce Pringle

The Work of Satan and Demons

Dr. E. H. Bancroft's book on Christian Theology is a classic and his exhaustive study of Satan and demons proves this. No other author that this writer has referenced, has been as complete. Bancroft's summary of scriptural teaching on the work of Satan will be given in its entirety. It is this writer's contention that a paraphrase of Bancroft's ideas would take much away from the original intent. The list is as follows:

A. He originates and instigates sin: Genesis 3:1-6.
B. He causes affliction and suffering: Acts 10:38; Luke 13:16.
C. He causes death: Hebrews 2:14; John 8:44.
D. He allures to evil: 1 Chronicles 21:1; Matthew 4:1-10; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5.
F. He brings men into captivity: 1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26.
G. He inspires wicked thoughts and purposes: Acts 5:3; John 13:2.
H. He blinds the minds of men: 2 Corinthians 4:4.
I. He dissipates truth from the hearts of men: Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12; Matthew 13:19.
J. He produces a fruitage of evil doers: Matthew 13:39.
K. He accuses believers: Revelation 12:9,10; Job 1:6-11; 2:3-5.
L. He authorizes and energizes his minister: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Revelation 3:9.
M. He opposes those who are engaged in God's service: 2 Corinthians 12:7; Zechariah 3:1; Daniel 10:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:18.
N. He sifts and tries believers: Luke 22:31.
O. He will energize the anti-Christ: 2 Thessalonians 2:9,10; See also Revelation 12:9,17; 13:1,2,7.

From the preceding it is evident that Satan is out to destroy everything that relates to God. Satan's invasion of Adolf Hitler which culminated in the extermination of over six million of God's people, the Jews, attests to Satan's plan. Mao of China, it is now believed, destroyed thirty million Chinese, a good number of those were Christians. Thirty million of one's own countrymen do not die because of a mere whim of a leader; something more subtle and evil drove Mao to pronounce judgment on millions of innocent people. Satan hates God. Consequently, he hates mankind in general because they are made in the image and likeness of God. Probably the greatest cause of wrath and furor within Satan is the state of the Christian - the blood-bought sons of God. Is it any wonder that Satan attempts to destroy the Christian home, family, church and individuals?

McLeod suggests that there are approximately one hundred and fifty references in the New Testament to the Devil and his works. He further states that about eighty of these references are to demon spirits, thirty-five or so refer to the casting out or driving out of these demonic powers from human beings. Referring to Biblical passages such as 1 Timothy 4:1 and Revelation 16:13-15, McLeod indicates that a greater increase of demonic activity will be more evident just prior to the return of Jesus Christ.

The work of Satan and demons is of a long duration. Adam and Eve's temptation and subsequent fall was the initial confrontation between God's people and evil powers. Probably the passage of Scripture that has caused the most debate and controversy concerning demons and Satan is Genesis 6:1-13. Orr calls this a sinister plot of Satan to thwart the plan of God by attempting to tamper with the seeds of life, that being, the genes and chromosomes of reproduction.

The account tells us that the Sons of God, evidently the demonic forces, entered into human beings and at marriage the results in the children were catastrophic. Monstrosities were born and the race seemed to be in danger of becoming freaks...horrible, hideous and shocking...The reference to giants in the earth means giants of evil.

Orr attempts to dispel the arguments of those that say there is no cohabitation between angels and human beings. Using the words of Jesus, Orr antagonists say that in heaven the angels of God neither marry or are given in marriage. Orr says that the perverted sexual union did not take place in heaven but on earth. He further states that one must remember - even demon possessed people can produce children. It is not this writer's desire to become involved in controversy, but simply to give the Biblical account and Orr's interpretation to show the wickedness of evil spirits.

Demons, like their leader Satan, oppose Gods purposes and execute Satan's will. The New Testament is clear when it addresses itself to the affliction of God's people by evil spirits. Saints and servants of God's people are hindered in their ministries because of the attack of demonic powers. It is the purpose of demons to seek to deceive God's very elect.