Should We Study the Devil?

The following question was posted in response to the C. S. Lewis review, but it is just as pertinent to the Peretti/Dekker review so it has been added with the reply in both locations.

Hello,

I looked all over your website for an email address to send regular questions to, but could not find one.

Anyway, my question is about something written in your review of C.S. Lewis. In one paragraph you state, “...in the Screwtape Letters, Lewis admittedly takes his reader on a tour of the devil’s mind. This is an area of study strictly forbidden by the Bible.”

That sentence really caught my interest, as I have never heard that doctrine before. Could you please tell me where, exactly, God forbids this? Which verse(s)? It has really peaked my curiosity and I would like your documentation on this so I may see God’s law for myself.

Hi,

This is a great question. I would be more than happy to help you with some thoughts from Scripture to get started on a study of your own on this subject. Some of the answers to it are already found on our site under the book review Peretti and Dekker—Thrillers. However, maybe I did not really examine as many scriptures as I could have to do the subject full justice. So, I intend to go into more detail here, and will add this response to both the C. S. Lewis review and the Peretti/Dekker review.

We can begin with the Old Testament at the time that God was giving His laws to the Israelites.

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.” —Deuteronomy 18:10-14.

There shall be found no one among God’s people—not who knows about these things—but who even knows or associates with someone who has knowledge of things of darkness or the occult. The law goes even further.

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” —Exodus 22:18.

Does this not indicate that God wants His people as far as possible from any knowledge of such things? Would not studying these things put us much closer to evil and its source than God feels is wise for us?

Job said, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” —Job 28:28.

Did he say to only depart from doing evil, or to depart from evil itself? —the doing, associating with, studying, and knowing about evil. Proverbs gives us more of the same instruction.

“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” —Proverbs 3:7.

“I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” —Proverbs 4:11-15.

“Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.” —Proverbs 12:20

“A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” —Proverbs 14:16.

“An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.” —Proverbs 16:27.

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” —Proverbs 27:12.

“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: . . . An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.” —Proverbs 6:16-19.

Are we not wise in our own eyes when we think that we can learn about such things and not be affected by them? Do we not have to go into the way of evil men (and he who influences them) to study it? Would it not be imagining evil to imagine how the devil and his operatives think and plot. The counselors of peace—does not God teach them that the only way to true peace is to focus solely on Him? Isn’t whatever we dig up about the devil and his operations evil? And what will we spread when we tell about it with our lips or pen? When someone is telling of what he has dug up, what is the prudent thing for the child (and I stress the word child; we are to be as children) of God to do? How do we protect children from evil influence? Would not the devil love for us to present him with an opportunity such as learning more about him? We think it is to make us smarter (like Eve) so that we can protect ourselves. The devil knows better (as in Eve’s case), and he will make the most of the opportunity to subtly influence us in ways that we know not of. When a person conceives of how the devil might think and what he might do, are not those wicked imaginations? Should we not look at them the same as God does?

“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.” —Psalm 101:3-4

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” —Mark 7:21-23.

Why did the psalmist say he would put no wicked thing before his eyes? What is seen through the eyes goes into the heart—the evil and the good. The gospel of Mark says that man’s evil comes out of his heart. Do we want to open doors for the possibility of more evil to come into our hearts?

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” —Ephesians 5:11-20.

When we have fellowship, even with other “Christians,” who are in tune with the unfruitful works of darkness—the things of which it is a shame even to speak, whether this fellowship is personal or through the medium of the printed page, are we blessed? What we need is light. Jesus gives light. Has He said to study the devil? The wise man walks circumspectly and understands the will of God, not the operations of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” It does not say to study the devil to stand against his wiles. We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and with praise and thanksgiving to our Saviour, not an understanding of the devil. Knowing the devil makes perfect sense to worldly wisdom, but Paul did not trust such wisdom.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” —1 Corinthians 3:16-20.

Jesus wants all of our thoughts based upon Him.

“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” —2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

What communion does the spirit of a child of God have with the study of God’s archenemy?

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” —2 Corinthians 6:14-17.

These are some of the warnings about this issue. There are doubtless more throughout Scripture. What I have neglected in a positive vein are the proactive measures given us in the Bible. They all exhort us to put our entire focus on all things good and holy, especially the Saviour. However, they are easily enough found. One can hardly read Scripture without finding some. I will simply mention one that comes readily to mind.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” —Philippians 4:8.

I think this gives a pretty thorough introduction to what I think is an important part of learning to live for Christ. I hope it is a help to you.

God bless you and your personal study of this issue,

Jeff Zakula