The Devil and The World

In Christian Counselling, we deal a lot about truths with our clients; this usually takes the form of Biblical doctrines.  One discussion which shocks a lot of people (and it may shock you too) is the truth that the world today is ruled by The Devil.  

The Devil is currently in charge of the world.  You will notice that I didn’t use the title Creator or Owner of the world; he is merely the one in charge at the moment and his lease is expiring soon.  This is the very world which he offered Jesus Christ during the temptation in the dessert.

All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  -Matthew 4:8-9

Looking through the different titles of The Devil, you would find some curious titles which points to him being the current ruler of this world.  That title is: The Prince of the Power of the Air (Ephesians 2:1-2).  We know that even this title is a counterfeit, and as such it is not permanent.  This was addressed by The Lord Jesus Christ when He Himself declared who’s the real Boss when He commanded the winds and the waves to stay quiet.  The time for Christ to take back ownership of this world has not yet come that even Jesus Himself in His time on earth referred to the Devil as: “The Ruler of this world” (John 14:30).  Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:4 referred to the enemy as "the god of this world".

While we are waiting for the true owner, we have to live in a world that is cursed and to a creation that is fallen through sin (Genesis 3:17).  Things decay as death once entered the system and replaced the glory of God.  Man who was gifted with an immortal body and placed in a perfect world (The Garden) with unlimited supplies and comfort will now have to suffer work, pain, and even death.  Suffering happens today because man handed the authority of the world to the Serpent.  God gave man dominion over all His creation, and we dropped the ball only to be picked up by the devil.  

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. - 1 Peter 4:12

Don’t be surprised when you look around and see children abused, people killing each other; or even worse, we see the immoral prospering and ruling while the children of God suffer ridicule and persecution.  We then start asking: Why is God doing this?! We now have the clear response: These ain’t God’s work!  We handed the authority of the world to the devil when we voted sin over God!  When you look at the world around us right now, we are still perpetually casting this same anti-God anti-Christ vote even today!!!  What do you expect to happen when we let go of the family unit?  When we let go of God’s original family structure?  When we let go of God’s intention for sexuality?  God provided laws and instructions so we can have good lives, we chose darkness and independence instead. Now we suffer as The Prodigal Son did. Can we really blame The Father for our decisions? Can we really blame The Father for our sufferings?

The Devil rules the world, he hates God, he hates Jesus, and he hates us (John 15:18).  Do not be surprised when he attacks.  We stay prepared and we stay protected and safe in Christ.  The war is here and it has been going on for thousands of years.  We are the prize and we are also the soldiers, so stay alert in Christ!

Next on Christian Warfare:  

The Forbidden Fruit - why is it forbidden?

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