REFLECTIONS ON “SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL”
Disclaimer: I am not recommending Christians listen to this song or The Rolling Stones in general. This is a personal reflection on the artistry of music and what it can reveal about the human condition. My goal is to encourage discernment and careful thought, not to encourage engagement with material that you may consider spiritually harmful. This is a devotional reflection, not a doctrinal statement. I do know that secular art can reveal truth without being worshipful or spiritually beneficial, which is consistent with the idea that God’s truth can be reflected even in fallen humanity (Acts 17:28, Psalm 19:1-4).
I have long loved much of the music of The Rolling Stones. Some of their music has a way of cutting straight into the soul, stirring thought and feeling, and sometimes challenging the heart. Some have criticized me for that love, often pointing to Sympathy for the Devil, a song the band released in 1968. They ask, “How can you enjoy a song like that?” I have listened carefully, and I do not believe it glorifies evil. While the Stones have songs that are clearly vulgar or unhelpful, I do not place this one in that category.
Sympathy for the Devil reminds me of the way C. S. Lewis wrote The Screwtape Letters. Both speak in the voice of the tempter and neither one glorifies him. Instead they uncover his lies and expose his schemes so that the believer may be awake and alert. Lewis let the devil speak so that the people of God could see through his deception. The song does the same thing in its own imperfect way. It shows the smooth tongue and the proud heart that has destroyed nations and tempted souls. And as in the letters of Screwtape, it leads me to look again to Christ who conquered the enemy at the cross and who keeps His people in the light.
Many of the Stones’ songs are, in my personal opinion now, morally abysmal and unworthy of listening. But does that cancel out the brilliance of the great songs they created? Not to me. The Rolling Stones are a genre unto themselves, exploring many styles of music. I enjoy all forms of music, but every style has material that Christians should avoid. That does not erase the value of the good work they produced. Sympathy for the Devil, in my view, is a brilliant work of art—a vivid portrayal of the enemy of our souls, a warning of his deceit and cunning.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the chief architects of the Stones’ music, are undeniably gifted musicians and writers. They are not Christians, nor should they be expected to live as such. Perhaps one day (and, to be honest, they need to hurry up about it) they may turn to faith, but for now their brilliance lies in their artistry, storytelling, and keen observation of human nature. Whether consciously or not, they touch upon great themes of Scripture—the struggle between good and evil, the consequences of sin, the depths of human desire. Jagger, in particular, seems to possess a wide knowledge of certain aspects of the Bible, and that knowledge informs his writing in ways worth noting. When a gifted writer has something to say, it is wise to listen carefully, discerning what is true, what is false, and what may illuminate the human condition in light of Christ.
Sympathy for the Devil is written from the standpoint of the devil himself: “Please allow me to introduce myself, I’m a man of wealth and taste.” That voice is false, but it perfectly illustrates how the tempter speaks—smooth, confident, persuasive. The song gives the devil credit for the evil we see in the world, forcing us to face the truth: evil does not come from God, but from the one who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). Human sin gives him power, yet he is limited. Christ’s victory was already assured. The song does not glorify Satan—it exposes him.
The lyrics carry a poetic beauty and depth. Jagger drew inspiration from The Master and Margarita, a Russian novel featuring Satan walking among men, provoking chaos and mocking piety. The song distills that literary spark into a three-minute anthem: not worship of evil, but a vivid portrayal of it, so that we might see it, feel it, and turn away. It even highlights the consequences of rejecting Christ: Pilate washes his hands at the devil’s instigation (and “seals his fate”) and Jesus’ innocence contrasts with human sin. The song points implicitly to the necessity of the cross, the victory of the blood of Jesus, and God’s righteousness over the enemy’s schemes.
Whether the Stones intended it or not, the song tells a story that aligns with truth: the devil prowls and tempts, he delights in sin, but he is defeated. In Christ, we can stand washed and forgiven, living in the light. I am not telling anyone to listen to the song, nor do I feel I must justify my own choices. My aim is to stir thought, to encourage discernment about what we allow into our hearts. Some of the Stones’ music is harmful, but some of it contains remarkable insight. Their musical brilliance is undeniable, and their work, like any artist’s, contains both the good and the bad. The good is extraordinary.
Even from secular music, lessons can be drawn. The song is a reminder that evil is real, subtle, and pervasive, yet Christ is the end. We can observe human sin and the schemes of the enemy, learn from them, and be more alert in our spiritual lives. The Rolling Stones, flawed and human as they are, produced art that, in this case, helps us see the battle for souls and the power of God’s victory through Christ.
Yes, you can learn things even from The Rolling Stones.
BDD
