The Bible provides clear warnings about the dangers of making any kind of deal with Satan or his demonic forces. Scripture makes it clear that the devil seeks to deceive, destroy, and dominate – but believers in Christ have victory through faith in Him.
Here are some key biblical principles on this topic:
The Devil is Real and Seeks to Destroy
The Bible affirms the reality of Satan, a fallen angel who rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19). He seeks to tempt people into sin and rebellion against God (1 Peter 5:8). The devil opposes God’s work and seeks to destroy it through lies, deception, and temptation to evil. He is described as the “father of lies” and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44).
Some key verses:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
The Devil Tempts Through Deception and Lies
A key scheme of the devil is deception through lies and false promises. He twists the truth and speaks half-truths to entice people into sinful rebellion against God. Examples include his deception in the garden (Genesis 3:1-7) and his temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).
The devil promises pleasures, rewards, knowledge, and power – but it is always a trap. Those who believe his lies will be destroyed spiritually. We must resist the devil by standing firm in God’s truth.
Some key verses:
“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)
“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19)
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
There Are Eternal Dangers in Partnering with the Devil
The Bible contains serious warnings about joining forces or partnering with the demonic realm. Passages such as Leviticus 19:31, 20:6 and Deuteronomy 18:9-14 forbid practices like sorcery, divination, necromancy, and witchcraft because they involve communing with evil spirits.
In the New Testament, those who persist in willful partnership with demons face eternal judgment and separation from God (Revelation 21:8). Believers must resist the devil and reject any involvement with his dark spiritual realm.
Some key verses:
“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:21)
“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:31)
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
Jesus Has Conquered the Devil – We Have Victory in Christ
The good news is that Jesus Christ defeated Satan through his death and resurrection! Believers who put their trust in Christ can resist the enemy and stand firm because greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
We overcome the devil when we submit to God, resist his lies, and stand firm in the truth of the gospel (James 4:7; Ephesians 6:10-18). Attempting to make a deal with Satan is foolish when we have complete victory and freedom in Christ!
Some key verses:
“The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
We Must Renounce the Devil and Draw Near to God
If someone has been deceived into making agreements or covenants with the devil, they must renounce such pacts, repent, and turn wholly to God for forgiveness and deliverance through Christ. The Bible encourages those under spiritual oppression to resist the devil, renounce his works, and submit fully to God (Acts 19:18-20).
Through faith in Christ, even someone who has engaged deeply in the demonic realm can be delivered, as seen in the Gadarene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20). With God all things are possible!
Some key verses:
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7-8)
“And many who had believed came confessing and divulging their practices. And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.” (Acts 19:18-19)
We Must Not Give the Devil a Foothold
Even though Christ has conquered Satan, Christians must be on guard against him. The Bible warns believers not to give the devil a “foothold” through ongoing engagement with sin and ungodly influences (Ephesians 4:27). We must diligently resist him through faith.
By applying discernment and standing firm in God’s truth, we allow no opportunities for the devil to gain sway over our lives or relationships. A healthy fear of the reality of spiritual warfare calls us to live alert and to stand firmly in Christ.
Some key verses:
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27)
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)
God Promises to Deliver Us When We Draw Near to Him
While spiritual warfare is a sobering reality, Christians have hope and confidence because God promises to deliver us when we draw near and submit to Him. As James 4:7-8 says, when we resist the devil and draw near to God, Satan will flee. We do not fight alone but by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Through faith, even strongholds that were gained in our lives through the devil’s schemes can be torn down (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). God wants to use every believer to advance His kingdom, no matter their past. Our victory is assured as we walk with Him.
Some key verses:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17)
Conclusion
The Bible makes it clear that making deals with the devil is foolish and dangerous. Satan seeks only to destroy, but God offers eternal life in Christ. As believers, we can resist the enemy and draw near to God, knowing He promises deliverance and victory.
Though the spiritual forces of evil are very real, Christians have nothing to fear when we cling to Jesus Christ. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world! Let us rejoice that God provides an escape from every temptation and snare of the enemy when we submit to Him and stand firm in our faith.
