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Ex-Satanist Reveals What Satanism Really Is—and How Jesus Set Him Free

What really happens inside Satanism? How does someone raised in a Christian home become involved in the occult? And can a person deeply entangled in Satanism find freedom through Jesus Christ?

In this episode of The Deep End, Pastor Tim Hatch welcomes Riaan Swiegelaar, a former Satanist from South Africa, for an extraordinary conversation about spiritual deception, occult practices, spiritual warfare, and the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Raised in a Christian household, Riaan grew up familiar with Scripture and church life. Yet he says knowing the Bible was not the same as personally knowing Jesus. His search for spiritual power eventually led him away from Christianity and into New Age spirituality, psychic practices, the occult, and ultimately Satanism.

After years of involvement, Riaan says his life changed on May 24, 2022, when he encountered Jesus Christ while preparing for a satanic ritual. What followed was a nine-month journey of renouncing occult practices, confronting unforgiveness, and learning to surrender his life to Christ.

Today, Riaan shares his testimony and works to help others leave occult involvement, connect with Christian churches, and understand what he believes Scripture teaches about spiritual warfare.

His message is ultimately one of hope: No one is beyond the reach of Jesus Christ.

In This Episode

Pastor Tim Hatch and Riaan Swiegelaar explore the realities of Satanism, the dangers of spiritual deception, and the freedom found in Jesus Christ.

  • How a Christian became a Satanist: Riaan explains how his upbringing in church, spiritual dissatisfaction, and pursuit of supernatural experiences eventually led him into the occult.
  • What attracts people to Satanism: Why promises of empowerment, belonging, identity, and spiritual enlightenment appealed to Riaan and, in his experience, others drawn into Satanism.
  • The dangers of New Age spirituality: Riaan discusses astrology, psychic readings, mediumship, and other occult practices that he believes can lead people away from biblical truth.
  • What Riaan says happens inside Satanism: His firsthand accounts of initiation, rituals, animal sacrifices, and practices he associates with demonic activity.
  • The deception of spiritual power: Why Riaan believes the promise of personal power ultimately produces spiritual bondage rather than genuine freedom.
  • His reported encounter with Jesus Christ: Riaan describes what he says happened on May 24, 2022, while preparing for a satanic ritual, and how that experience changed his beliefs.
  • Nine months of deliverance: Why his journey involved renouncing former spiritual practices, confronting unforgiveness, and learning to trust Christ completely.
  • Knowing the Bible versus knowing Jesus: Pastor Tim and Riaan examine the danger of outward religious activity without genuine faith, repentance, and surrender to Christ.
  • The authority of Jesus over darkness: Why Riaan emphasizes Christ’s victory through the Cross rather than encouraging Christians to become fascinated with demonic activity.
  • How parents can protect their children spiritually: Practical encouragement to teach Scripture, pray faithfully, model genuine Christianity, and help children develop a personal relationship with Jesus.
  • Helping others leave Satanism: Riaan discusses his ministry to people seeking freedom from occult practices and the importance of connecting them with local churches for discipleship.
  • The message of Fear No Evil: Riaan introduces his book and its central emphasis on Christ’s authority and the spiritual victory believers have through Him.

🌎 Cultural Relevance

Why Satanism and Spiritual Deception Matter Today

Public expressions of Satanism, debates about religious freedom, and growing interest in alternative spirituality have raised questions about the place of Satanism and occult beliefs in contemporary culture.

During the conversation, Pastor Tim discusses reports of satanic invocations at government meetings in the United States and asks what Christians should understand about the spiritual beliefs behind such practices.

Riaan argues that the greatest danger is not always an openly satanic ritual. In his experience, spiritual deception often begins with seemingly attractive promises of personal empowerment, supernatural knowledge, belonging, or control over one’s circumstances.

His testimony also raises important questions about the distinction between cultural or philosophical expressions of Satanism and the ritualistic occult practices he describes from his own experience. His account should not be taken as evidence that every person or organization identifying with Satanism engages in the same practices.

The Danger of Knowing Religion Without Knowing Christ

One of the most significant themes in the interview is the distinction between religious knowledge and genuine faith.

Riaan explains that he grew up knowing Scripture but did not believe he truly knew Jesus Christ. Pastor Tim builds on this distinction, warning that religious habits and outward appearances cannot replace a transformed heart.

Jesus Himself warned about the danger of outward religious profession without genuine obedience and relationship with Him (Matthew 7:21–23).

The Christian faith is not ultimately about performing religious rituals or earning God’s approval through human effort. Salvation is God’s gift of grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9).

For parents and church leaders, this raises an essential question: Are we merely teaching people religious information, or are we helping them understand the gospel and follow Jesus?

Spiritual Warfare Without Fear

Riaan repeatedly emphasizes that Christians should not live in fear of Satan.

Scripture teaches believers to recognize spiritual opposition while remaining steadfast in God’s strength.

Ephesians 6:10–18 describes the armor of God and calls Christians to stand firm through truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, God’s Word, and prayer.

James 4:7 calls believers to submit themselves to God and resist the devil.

And Colossians 2:13–15 points to Christ’s victory over the powers of darkness through His redemptive work.

Rather than focusing on demonic activity, Riaan urges believers to grow in their knowledge of Scripture, cultivate a genuine relationship with Christ, and remember the authority of the risen Savior.

What Christian Parents Can Learn

For Christian families, the conversation offers a reminder that spiritual formation begins long before a child encounters challenging ideas or beliefs.

Riaan encourages parents to pray for their children, teach them Scripture, and help them experience Christianity as more than a weekly religious obligation.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 instructs God’s people to teach His words diligently to their children throughout ordinary daily life.

Parents cannot guarantee their children’s future choices, but they can faithfully model repentance, prayer, biblical truth, and trust in Jesus Christ.

The goal is not to raise children who are merely afraid of spiritual darkness. It is to help them know the truth of the gospel and grow in faith.

💬 Join the Conversation

Riaan Swiegelaar’s testimony raises questions about spiritual deception, religious identity, and the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

  • Why do you think people sometimes search for spiritual fulfillment outside of Christianity, even after growing up in church?
  • How can Christians recognize spiritual deception without becoming consumed by fear of Satan?
  • What can parents and churches do to help the next generation develop genuine faith in Jesus Christ rather than simply practicing religion?

Watch the full episode of The Deep End with Pastor Tim Hatch and Riaan Swiegelaar, then share your thoughts in the comments.

📣 Engage With Us

Watch The Deep End with Pastor Tim Hatch

Explore biblical perspectives on current events, culture, spiritual warfare, Christian living, and the issues shaping our world.

Stay connected:

Featured resource: Fear No Evil: The Devil Is Real. So Is Your Authority Over Him. by Riaan Swiegelaar.

Find Riaan’s book on Amazon

If this testimony encouraged you, share the episode with someone who needs to hear about the hope and freedom available through Jesus Christ.

🙏 Share the Hope

The most important message of Riaan Swiegelaar’s testimony is not the power of Satan. It is the saving power of Jesus Christ.

The Bible teaches that sin separates humanity from God, but through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers forgiveness, reconciliation, and new life to those who repent and believe in Him.

John 8:36 declares:

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (ESV)

No past is too dark for the grace of God. No person is beyond the reach of the gospel. And no believer needs to live enslaved to fear.

Riaan’s testimony is a reminder that Christianity is not simply about knowing religious facts or observing religious traditions. It is about knowing and following Jesus Christ.

The enemy does not have the final word. Jesus Christ has already won the victory through the Cross and Resurrection.

If you are searching for truth, forgiveness, or a new beginning, turn to Jesus Christ. His grace is sufficient, His Word is trustworthy, and His power to save has not changed.

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2026, The Deep End
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