Because I spend so much time online through my ministry work, I encounter my fair share of fake accounts—accounts created as shields to hide the people behind them. They are often used to stalk, harass, and target others without any sense of accountability. The more I encountered this behavior, the more I was reminded of a truth found throughout Scripture in countless stories that speak directly to these actions and the behaviors attached to them.
Saul pursued David throughout 1 Samuel 18–31, stalking him and watching his every move. Paul, formerly known as Saul, persecuted Christians in Acts 8–9, often seeking them out and watching them for an opportune time to harm them. Jezebel stalked Elijah in 1 Kings 19 and even threatened him often. Jerusalem was stalked by the Babylonians, as described in Lamentations 4. Psalms 37 and 56 also speak of the wicked stalking the righteous. Whether we realize it or not, the Bible has much to say about stalking and relentless pursuit.
What the world has long called entertainment or curiosity may actually reveal a deeper spiritual issue. Obsession is a character trait first seen in Satan. According to 1 Peter 5:8, Satan prowls and stalks us. Since his fall, his existence has been adversarially fixed on God—His power, His glory, and His creation. In this sense, we are never more like the devil than when we stalk or become obsessed with other people likewise.
Satan is described in 1 Peter 5:8 as one who “prowls.” The word translated as prowl conveys the idea of being occupied with or following someone. Today, however, the word “follow” has been diluted into a casual online activity—something considered acceptable as long as a profile is "accessible" through any means we find available to us. The Bible also says that Satan “roams,” which, according to Job 1:7, means to go through and search. Searching has likewise become an everyday activity on profiles, apps, and pages—wherever open portals are available, or wherever our fake profiles can gain access to.
The Bible tells us in Luke 4:13 that Satan looks for “opportune times” to steal, kill, and destroy. We see evidence of this all around us today online: digital photos taken and used without permission or shared with people who have no right to possess them; fake accounts used to attack and destroy another person’s character through harassment and hateful rants; and lives damaged by stalkers, harassers, or online affairs hidden behind deceptive apps. Online, has become quite the playground for Satan.
Remember this the next time you consider creating a fake account or profile to watch someone, gather information, mock them, or steal from them while hiding your identity. It is not merely curiosity when those very behaviors align you with Satan rather than the Savior.
If we are not careful, our obsession will take us farther than we want to go and cost us more than we want to pay. Judas’ obsession with money opened the door to demonic possession (John 12:6; John 13:2; Luke 22:3). Saul’s obsession with David led to demonic oppression (1 Samuel 18:7–10). Ananias and Sapphira’s fixation on materialism gave Satan influence in their hearts to steal and lie (Acts 5:3). Saul’s obsession with believers convinced him to commit evil acts against them (Acts 8:1–3; Acts 26:9–11). Obsession can become a steppingstone toward hell, connecting us to demonic influence.
It starts off fun, until we realize the destination in which we are heading has no return ticket. Obsession led to Judas' suicide, Saul's suicide, Ananias and Sapphira's death, and Satan's eternal damnation. Thankfully however, God interceded for Saul when he became Paul and it radically changed the outcome.
Ironically, Paul gave us some of the most extensive teaching about Satan. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
He reminded us that Satan is deceptive (2 Corinthians 11:14), that he can blind us (2 Corinthians 4:4), and that he distorts the truth (2 Corinthians 11:3–4). Paul also taught that Satan holds spiritual power and influence in the world through the air (Ephesians 2:2), and he seeks to gain footholds in our lives (Ephesians 4:27). That Satan harasses believers (2 Corinthians 12:7). Yet the most powerful thing Paul taught us about Satan was not merely through his words, but through his example.
Saul was obsessed with people. Paul was obsessed with Christ. I don't know that there is a more profound lesson than this very thing. Clarity is often found in the simplest truths: what we consistently choose, practice, and prioritize ultimately shapes the direction of our lives.
Some of us don't need another dummy account, we need deliverance like Saul/Paul.
Sincerely Selena
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