The Bible teaches that Satan is not in control. But as we look around in the world today, it’s getting easier to consider that the man who wrote the following comment might be right.

In a comment on my article: God Is More Powerful Than The Devil   a man offered this criticism:

Here is his comment:

Here is the entire Scripture passage:

¹⁹ We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)

If we stopped here, it could seem that our cautious reader is proving his point. Indeed, from our limited point of view we might be inclined to agree.

We have an appalling lack of knowledge!

Genesis 6:1~8

Increasing Corruption on Earth

¹ When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, ² the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. ³ Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” ⁴ The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.

⁵ The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ⁶ And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. ⁷ So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” ⁸ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:1~8)

We all have to realize:

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. (2 Timothy 2:4)

Note the underlined text:

¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. (John 17:14~19)

The term, “not of the world” refers to people whose top priorities are in harmony with the priorities of the kingdom of God, and not the priorities of the “world system”!

ALSO:

There are many whom God protects because they have chosen to actually live like a real Christian. For example, a truly “born-again” christian:

Note the underlined text:

¹⁸ We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. (1 Peter 5:8)

The term “has been born of God” refers to a person who has been “born again”. The term “was born of God” refers to our Lord Jesus.

² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

There are two commands to obey:

• Do not be conformed to this world
• be transformed by the renewal of your mind

Those are commands that we are supposed to be living by!

Note the underlined text:

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. ¹⁹ And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. ²¹ But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:16~21)

¹ God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ² Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, ³ though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Selah (Psalm 46:1~3)

Three examples of how God would have us respond:

Note the underlined text:

Peace with God Through Faith

¹ Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5: 1~5)

Another example:

² Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2~4)

A third example:

⁷ So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. ⁸ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7~10)

Just as the S*T*R*A*I*N of lifting heavy weights at the gym keeps our muscles strong; in the same way, God uses the S*T*R*A*I*N of adversity to strengthen our faith!

There is another very important side to this discussion:

This is all about the strict legal system in heaven, where the court is in session day and night, and how Satan tries to use the court of heaven against you!
BUT: when you know about Satan’s scheme, I’ll explain — right from the Bible — how YOU can overthrow Satan’s plan! I have put that part of the story into part 2.