p. 6 | Satan Can Become Religious

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 18, 1907

Satan Can Become Religious

The author of a recent book on spiritualistic phenomena tells of a certain séance at which the purported spirit of Dr. Hodgson counseled his old friend Professor Hyslop to pray for help. The author of the book seems to think that this should settle the question as to whether spiritualistic communications are really from the departed or are dictated by satanic agencies. He says:—

Prayer implies faith in the All Creator. Can the church afford to overlook anything that brings materialists to their knees in this materialistic age? Just how will my Seventh-day Adventist critics and other good church people, who have been writing me warning letters, reconcile exhortations of this sort with their theory of evil spirits as the source of all spirit communications?

Satan is willing that men should pray if he can keep them inside the fold of Spiritualism while they are doing it. We have been told that we need not think it marvelous if Satan should transform himself into an angel of light. 2 Cor. 11:14, 15. Satan has no scruples against joining the church if thereby he can lead some souls to share with him his ruin. Satan can become religious and quote Scripture when it suits his purpose—and it does at times. Our Saviour was not deceived when Satan quoted Scripture to him. Let us not be deceived when he urges us down upon our knees to pray. He is the same evil spirit in whatever garb he wears. Christ did not say, “This must be an angel, for he quotes the words of God.” He said, “Get thee behind me, Satan,” and so will his followers say to-day when “the spirits” advise them to pray. We do not need counsel from that source; and it is only given that it may ensnare, deceive, and ruin. “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto the wizards, that chirp and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? On behalf of the living should they seek unto the dead?” Isa. 8:19.