A Layman’s Guide to Spiritual Power and Misguided Faith
The World’s Kingdom vs. God’s Kingdom: Setting the Stage
If you were to ask, “Who runs the world?” you might get answers like presidents, kings, or prime ministers. Some would say money or technology are the real powers, while others would point to laws, armies, or even powerful corporations. But the Bible offers a more surprising—and sometimes unsettling—answer: there’s a spiritual power behind the scenes, one that is not on God’s side.
This idea can sound strange, but if you’ve ever felt like there’s more to the world than meets the eye—or wondered why things sometimes seem so broken and unfair—it’s worth exploring. Let’s break it down together.
Satan’s Influence: A Hidden Power in the World
Most people think of Satan as a symbol of evil, but the Bible talks about him as a real being with real power. According to the New Testament, Satan isn’t just a troublemaker or a tempter; he’s described with some strong titles:
· “God of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
· “Prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2)
· “Ruler of this world” (John 12:31)
What do these titles mean? They suggest that Satan has a unique, though limited, authority over the systems and people who make up our world. That doesn’t mean he’s king or creator—but it does mean he has influence over how things run, especially when people turn away from God.
Where Did Satan Get This Power?
The Bible isn’t fully clear about how Satan became so influential. Some passages hint that humans handed it over by choosing their own way instead of God’s. Others suggest that God, for reasons we may not understand, allows Satan a certain amount of freedom for now. In the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness (Luke 4), Satan offers Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world,” claiming that they’ve been given to him. Jesus doesn’t argue about this claim—he simply refuses to worship Satan.
What’s more important than the “how” is the “what”: right now, Satan is allowed to influence governments, cultures, economies, and even the way people think and believe.
Not Just One Verse: A Consistent Message
This isn’t just a small detail tucked away in one book. Many parts of the Bible reinforce the idea that the whole world is under a kind of spiritual fog—where darkness and deception often rule.
· 1 John 5:19 says, “The whole world is under the control of the evil one.”
· Revelation calls the world “Babylon”—a symbol for a corrupt, seductive empire set against God.
· Paul in Ephesians describes Satan as working “in the sons of disobedience,” meaning he’s at work wherever people reject God’s truth.
All these passages point to a world that’s not neutral ground. There’s a spiritual battle going on, and we’re living in the middle of it.
The Limits of Satan’s Power
If you’re feeling alarmed, take heart—the Bible is clear that Satan’s power is limited. God, with a capital “G,” remains sovereign. Satan can’t do whatever he pleases; he’s on a leash, so to speak.
The book of Job gives us a glimpse: Satan has to give a report to God, and he can’t act without God’s permission. God sets boundaries, and Satan’s reach is never total. God is still the final authority.
Even more, Satan’s “kingdom” is not built to last. It’s real, but it’s temporary and destined to lose. Every time Jesus cast out a demon or healed someone, he was showing that God’s power is far greater. That’s why John 12:31 says, “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.”
Who Is Under Satan’s Influence?
This is another key point: Satan’s influence is strongest over people who don’t believe in Jesus. The Bible says that those who’ve been “born again”—who’ve put their faith in Christ—have been rescued from Satan’s domain.
· Colossians 1:13: “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”
· Acts 26:18: God’s mission is “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.”
Unbelievers, no matter how free or clever they think they are, are caught in Satan’s trap (2 Timothy 2:26). They may not realize it, but their ideas, philosophies, and choices are shaped by the “god of this world.”
How Does Satan Keep People Away from God?
Satan’s main strategy is deception. He blinds people to the truth about Jesus and the gospel. Here’s how the Bible describes it:
· 2 Corinthians 4:4: “The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.”
· Matthew 13:19: Satan snatches away the gospel from people’s hearts.
· 1 Timothy 4:1: He promotes “doctrines of demons”—false philosophies and religions designed to keep people from God.
These lies take many forms:
· “God doesn’t exist.”
· “God doesn’t care.”
· “God cannot be trusted.”
· “God is evil.”
· “Jesus did not rise again.”
· “You can go to heaven if you’re good enough.”
Such ideas aren’t just random—they’re part of a campaign to divert attention from Jesus and keep people in spiritual darkness.
What Does This Mean for Us? Practical Takeaways
So what should Christians and spiritual seekers do with all this? Here are a few basic points:
· Don’t blindly trust governments or political systems. Even the best system is influenced by forces opposed to God. Governments can do good—they keep peace and punish evil—but they aren’t God’s kingdom, and they aren’t perfect.
· Be a good citizen. Pray for leaders, work for justice, and promote peace—but always keep your ultimate hope in God, not in any earthly authority.
· Stay spiritually alert. Remember, there’s a “power over” the world that isn’t from God. Be wise, be skeptical, and measure everything against the truth of God’s Word.
· Don’t fall for Satan’s lies. Keep your mind open to God. Seek answers in Scripture and prayer. Ask God for wisdom to see through deception.
· Put your trust in God’s kingdom—which is not of this world. Jesus said that his kingdom “is not of this world” (John 18:36). That means our greatest loyalty, hope, and sense of belonging should be in God, not in politics, money, or culture.
The Bottom Line
In plain language, the Bible teaches that while God allows governments and authorities to exist, there’s a spiritual “pollution” in all political systems because of Satan’s influence. That spiritual pollution affects the world’s ideals, goals, and even the way people think.
Satan acts like a ruler in the world, but he doesn’t have the last word. God’s power is greater, and believers are set free from Satan’s trap through Jesus. That’s why we shouldn’t put our ultimate faith in any earthly kingdom—they’re not the kingdom of God. Work for good, pray for your leaders, seek justice, but let your deepest hope and loyalty be in the kingdom that lasts forever—the one that belongs to God, not to this world.
Final Encouragement
If you’re curious or worried about who’s really in charge, take heart: God is still at work, even in a world full of confusion and spiritual conflict. He calls people out of darkness and into light. If you want to be part of something greater than the kingdoms of this world, trust in God’s love and seek the truth of Jesus—who came to set you free.
In the end, the story isn’t about Satan’s power—it’s about God’s victory. Light always wins over darkness, and God’s kingdom is open to anyone who wants to belong. That’s good news for every generation, in every nation, for every person willing to believe.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 