Back in 1965, a legendary voice took to the airwaves with a chilling broadcast that would leave a lasting mark on America. That voice belonged to Paul Harvey, a trailblazing radio commentator known for his sharp wit, unique cadence, and uncanny foresight. He reached more than 24 million listeners at the height of his career—many of whom considered him a trusted voice in uncertain times.

But on April 3, 1965, Harvey didn’t just deliver the news. He delivered a warning—a bold, prophetic message titled “If I Were the Devil.” At the time, it sounded more like a dramatic monologue than a realistic prediction. But fast forward more than five decades, and many believe Harvey’s words have eerily come true.

A Prophetic Voice

Paul Harvey’s speech began with the haunting line:
“If I were the Devil…”

From there, he laid out a vision of how evil could infiltrate American society—not through war or violence, but through subtle, calculated manipulation. It was a hypothetical scenario, but one that now reads more like a roadmap of modern society’s challenges.

Here’s a closer look at the message that left so many listeners stunned—then and now.

“If I Were the Devil…”

Harvey imagined himself as the Devil, whose ultimate goal was to plunge the world—and especially the United States—into darkness. He said he would start with whispers, planting small ideas that slowly erode values.

“With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’”

He explained how he would distort truth, convincing young people that the Bible was a myth, and that mankind created God—not the other way around. He would blur the lines between good and evil, painting bad behavior as glamorous and outdated morals as boring.

“To the young I would whisper that the Bible is a myth… and that what is bad is good, and what is good is square.”

Harvey continued by saying he would encourage self-indulgence over discipline, leisure over work, and flattery over truth. He would trivialize religion, turn patriotism into a punchline, and convince people that personal freedom means abandoning moral responsibility.

Corruption from Within

Paul Harvey believed the Devil wouldn’t need to attack from the outside—he’d simply infiltrate from within. He envisioned a society where entertainment was dominated by filth, literature became shallow and lurid, and television pushed the limits of decency.

He said he would push drugs, alcohol, and tranquilizers, turning people into numb, detached versions of themselves.

“I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could… I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.”

Perhaps most hauntingly, he said he would infiltrate schools—refining intellects but allowing emotional chaos. He’d promote atheism in courtrooms and twist the words of preachers. Religion would be replaced by psychology, and science would become sacred.

Symbols Replaced, Values Lost

In Harvey’s vision, even sacred symbols wouldn’t be spared. Easter would become about eggs. Christmas would be symbolized by a bottle. The deeper meanings of these holidays, he feared, would be lost in commercialization and distraction.

He predicted a world where ambition would be punished, and dependency would be rewarded. Where families would be torn apart, and individuality crushed under a state-controlled system.

“If I were Satan, I’d just keep doing what I’m doing—and the whole world would go to hell as sure as the Devil.”

A Message That Still Echoes Today

Many people who grew up listening to Paul Harvey remember that message vividly. One listener wrote, “I used to listen to Paul Harvey with my mom in the ’70s. He was right about everything.”

More than half a century later, his words resonate even louder. The issues he warned about—moral decline, loss of faith, broken families, corrupted institutions—are still front and center in modern conversations. Whether or not one agrees with his entire message, it’s hard to deny how prophetic his observations have become.

The Legacy of Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey passed away in 2009, but his legacy continues. His voice, once a staple in American households, still echoes through social media and YouTube, where clips of his old broadcasts continue to spark discussion.

His 1965 warning wasn’t just a radio monologue—it was a cautionary tale about what could happen if society lost sight of its values. Sadly, many believe we’re living that tale today.

So the question remains: Were Paul Harvey’s words just a dramatic performance, or was he warning us all along?

If you think his words are more relevant now than ever, share them—and keep the conversation going.