According to several major news outlets, a group of students at North Carolina State University has recently launched a Satanism club with the expressed intention of provoking Christian students and promoting certain predefined liberal values. Information on the group’s website indicates that the “Satanic Students at NC State University” hope to encourage others to join their embrace a form of progressive humanism, which includes an emphasis on empathy, scientific inquiry, and social justice. The student group’s website is a sub-page hosted by NC State University’s official web page and identifies their missions as “to 1) encourage benevolence and empathy among all people, 2) reject tyrannical authority, 3) advocate scientific examination of the universe and our place in it, 4) promote morality and justice based on rational, humanistic values, and 5) be directed by the human conscience to undertake noble pursuits guided by the individual will.”  Members of the group at North Carolina State claim their group acts as a counterbalance to the strong Christian presence on NC State’s campus. They claim that they have yet to encounter a backlash from their peers since establishing the group.

Satanic Groups Not Uncommon
Sadly such groups are becoming increasingly common. In fact, a similar group exists at Clemson University. More shocking is that the Temple of Satan has started Satanism clubs in various elementary schools across the country! Moreover, the rise of such clubs parallels the mainstream acceptance of Satan within our popular culture. Collectively, these factors result in a popular culture that conceives of Satan as a non-entity, and even a holistic force that can be drawn upon for personal enrichment. This is exactly the distorted image of Satan that is perpetuated by the Satanic Temple and various student-led Satanism groups on college campuses.

Relevant Bible Passages
The Bible teaches that Satan is the deceiver of the whole world . . . the accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:9–10), “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31), and “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Thus, it is not surprising that Satan is gaining popularity in the mainstream culture. This is at least partly due to the fact that Satan is the deceiver of the world. Satan “is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). As such, he has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Moreover, the Apostle Paul explained that “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Therefore, he will draw people away from the truth and lead them to their destruction (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:30). This is exactly what we can see happening with the instigation of Satanic clubs in our schools. As such, we should be engaged in serious prayer.

PRAY: Pray that God’s people would be emboldened to lovingly share the truth of the Gospel with those who are enticed by Satan’s deception. Pray for local leaders to effectively confront such student groups that might be formed on college campuses.