“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
Who is the God of this world? Is it not Satan? Yes, it is Satan, also known as the prince of this world. Satan has other names, such as the devil, Lucifer, and adversary. Many in the world do not believe that Satan exists. They may believe in a spirit but not believe that Satan exists and is a spiritual being. Satan is a fallen angel who rebelled against God. Satan is connected to the world system, which is materialism, pride, and sinful pleasures. The God of this world has blinded the minds of the people of this world.
Satan’s desire is to lead people away from the true God. This is done through deception, hatred, and evil ways. He comes as an angel of light, as the apostle Paul states in [2 Corinthians 11:14], trying to deceive the elect from turning away from the Gospel of Christ to the doctrine of devils. God provided a way through Jesus Christ, and there is no other way to the truth of the one and only God.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalosian 2:7-10
This mystery of iniquity, which is lawlessness, is already at work around the world. As the times come closer to the Lord’s return, we will see more and more people engaging in lawlessness. Lying, stealing, and profanity may become the norm. I am witnessing this here in America. When the Ten Commandments, prayer, and anything related to God are removed from schools and government, we must ask ourselves what is taking their place. Is it the love of money and things? Pride, materialism, and racism are playing out in the streets of America. This is being witnessed on national TV. There is a coming storm of warning that is not being heeded.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
We need to look to God’s plan through His son, Jesus, and repent. Let us come out from the mire of darkness of the world’s ways and back to the standards of God in living godly lives. Be not conformed to this world, the apostle Paul states. We must renew our minds from the ways of the world to the ways or standards that God gave through the word. Remember the words of Jesus himself.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 15:19
Jesus himself has overcome the world. He has taken back what Satan has stolen. Satan is the accuser and adversary who now works in the children of disobedience [see Ephesians 2:2].
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:9-10
We must have the mind of Christ to rebuke all evil in our personal lives and step out in faith in doing the will of God. We must cleanse ourselves by repenting and receiving forgiveness. Pray and read the word daily and walk a new life in Christ. ” Be servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,” [Ephesians 6:6]. Let the light of the Gospel of Christ shine through you to others in this world of darkness.
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”
Ephesians 2:2
It seems befitting to begin this New Year addressing who is the Prince of the Power of the Air? I am told that some do not even believe that Satan exists. This is no pun or childish play. Satan does exist and is the Prince of the Power of the Air. Satan was once the bright morning star who was an anointed angelic being. A created being by God but a fallen angel due to his own pride. He wanted to exalt himself above God. In Isaiah chapter 14 in verse 17, he is said to weaken the nations and who made the world like a wilderness. Satan today is known as the adversary for he disputes everything. Let us remember the story of Job in how he suffered but emerged into blessings and restoration. When the Lord God asked Satan, “from where did you come from?” Satan said, “from going backward and forward in the earth, and walking up and down in it,” [see Job 1:7]. Satan then asked the Lord, does Job really fear God for nothing? Here comes the argument about the hedge around Job and the blessings that Job had. The Lord released the power of what Job had into Satan’s hand except for Job’s very life itself he could not touch. This is an amazing story, and every Christian should read it. This story tells us that Satan moves upon the earth and has power to do things through the lives of people.
Today, we are witnessing a change in the world environment where it seems lawlessness is prevailing, and people are losing faith in humanity itself. Political upheaval is placing a division among its subjects as to how we will live in the coming years ahead. When I look at the world today, I wonder what is around the corner, for I remember in the late 60’s to the early 70’s how the youth were not satisfied with the current political world environment and protested which started the civil rights movement in America. The bottom line is the issue in how we treat each other as human beings. The treatment of each other brings about new laws that are supposed to address the issues that people are facing such as homelessness, having food and water, and a home to live in. These are the basic needs of every human being. Let us remember that certain governmental and city laws are changing the environment we live in therefore there is discontent and upheaval.
Social welfare and services are one of the biggest problems that every nation faces. I can remember Bill Clinton’s statement “this is the end of welfare as we know it.” Let us remember that welfare means the state of our well-being. Is well-being not the state of an individual health where basic needs is met such as food, clothing and shelter. Look at the policies within government to see if basic needs are being met among the people. You may be surprised at what you find. Social services such as food banks, and temporary housing are maxed out across the nation of America and also around the world. As Christians we should be concerned and pay attention to what is happening around the world and within our own cities. Remember what Paul said about praying for all who are in authority such as Kings, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life,” [see 1 Timothy 2:2]. It could be that we have entered into a new phase in human history where many are not optimistic about the future. It could be that we have entered into the beginning of sorrows as stated in Matthew 24:8.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers’ places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Matthew 24:6-8
We may question, “what is happening in the world today?” Is it not the question of why there is evil in the world. It is a question about the existence of Satan, the adversary? The Bible tells us of his existence and that his mission is to discredit every word of God. Some of the names given to him are devil, serpent, dragon, adversary, and Beelzebub. The apostle Peter gave us warning that the devil is our adversary who is seeking someone to devour, [see 1 Peter 5:8]. He is an invisible spirit that we cannot see, but we can witness his destruction in human lives. In recent news, I heard a reporter state that the reason why a man drove his vehicle through a store was because he heard voices and that Satan was going after him. Some may call this foolishness, but if the Bible states that the devil is a roaring lion who is walking about to find someone to devour, we may reconsider this as a real experience even if we do not see an entity. The Christian must know their position in Christ. A Christian must put on the whole armor of God in order to be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, [see Ephesians 6:11]. Why would the apostle Paul state to put on the whole armor of God if the devil was not real. The battle that Christians are in is a spiritual battle. The one word I kept hearing as I was praying at the beginning of this New Year was “spiritual warfare.” In the bible there is a clear distinction between those who are children of God and children of the devil. Each individual is given a choice in what they will believe. This personal choice will choose the path of each individuals life.
The children of disobedience are those who do not believe in Christ, and they may see themselves as above others. These are those who are egotistical and prideful in their behavior. Sin is overstepping the law, the boundary between good and evil. God’s “law is holy, and his commandments are holy, and just, and good,” [Romans 7:12]. “The law is not made for a righteous man but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners,” states Paul in 1st Timothy 1:9. Therefore, we have those who are ungodly in the world who are rebellious and give false testimony about themselves and others. We are witnessing this right now in the political arena around the world. Let us listen to the words of apostle John in the following scripture.
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.
1 John 3:7-10
The apostle John is giving a clear distinction between those who are children of God and those who are not. Satan is the prince of the power of the air because He is the God of this world systems. Consider one of the temptations of Jesus when the devil took him up high in the mountain to show Jesus the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. And the devil said, “all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me,” [Matthew 4:8-9]. Wow! Does the devil have the power to give such things? Think carefully before answering the question. The apostle Paul also stated in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that the god of this world has blinded the minds of them who believe not. The bottom line is what do you believe? How are you walking in this world? What is your direction in this world? These questions will establish if your faith is standing in the wisdom of men or in the in the power of God. Pray for discernment and that your eyes may be opened to the truth. The world is Satan’s battlefield, where do you stand? Remember that we all have a free will to choose what we believe and to whom we follow. Those who are Christians once walked the path of this world, but they have seen the light and are now children of the light and of darkness. Our hope is in the Lord Jesus who bought us with His shed blood. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit, [see Romans 15:13]. We must remember that man has three parts to his makeup, a physical body, a soul, and a spirit.
Pride equals self-will. Only with pride comes heated arguments. Those who are oppressed will cry out, but no one will ask where is God my maker? “There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men,” [Job 35:12].
