The Power and Purpose of Satan in this World

We are continuing our study of angels, specifically focusing on our chief enemy, Satan.

Make no mistake he is one of the most powerful being on earth and in this lesson we are going to look at his power and purpose in the world. Notice to begin with...

Satan’s Authority

He is the head of the world system and is the supreme authority over it

John 12:31 KJV 1900

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

John 16:11 KJV 1900

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Turn to Matthew 4:8-10

Matthew 4:8–10 KJV 1900

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Don’t you find it interesting that Jesus does not dispute Satan’s claim to the world when he offered to Him the kingdoms of the world?

What about passages in the Bible that appear to demonstrate Satan’s ability to use people in the world to carry out his will against God and His people?

Ephesians 2:2–3 KJV 1900

2 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: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Acts 13:6–10 KJV 1900

6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: 7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

2 Timothy 4:14–15 KJV 1900

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

Luke 22:3–6 KJV 1900

3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

It appears he can inflict physical disease in a sense which leads men to engage in sinful living which brings on disease

Luke 13:11–16 KJV 1900

11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. 15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Acts 10:38 KJV 1900

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

He can, to an extent, use the forces of nature Job 1:16-19

Job 1:16–19 KJV 1900

16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: 19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Good news: Satan’s authority is limited!

He used to be able to inflict physical death, but this power has been taken way since the death of Christ!

Hebrews 2:14 KJV 1900

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Revelation 1:18 KJV 1900

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

While Satan is powerful, we are grateful that his power is limited, now we move on and see what it is he does with this power. We ask.

What is Satan’s Aim/Purpose in the World System?

Simply: To create an organized system which opposes God

This system seeks to either eliminate God altogether or to simply act independently from Him

This system is a counterfeit of God’s plan and system

To accomplish his plan Satan makes the world system more appealing to men than God’s plan.

The focus of this system is “right here, right now” instead of eternity

He uses this system to tempt men to satisfy their sinful flesh

The result is a society that is selfish and sinful, with no regard toward God

By the way: This is exactly where our society is right now!

Satan is the God of this world

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 KJV 1900

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 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.

He rules over the world system taking men’s eyes off God and putting them on themselves

Even the good things which men accomplish int he world generate pride and self-glory rather than glorifying God

Final Thought

We are to keep ourselves untainted from the world James 1:27

James 1:27 KJV 1900

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

We are to be separate = different

In a sense Christians are to be “oddballs”

Everything we do should be a reflection of the will of God and done with a desire to please Him and bring Him glory

A believer should use the things of this world and not let them control or take priority in our lives

Philippians 4:12 KJV 1900

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

1 Timothy 6:17 KJV 1900

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

The way we win is by surrendering to God. Ephesians 6:10

Ephesians 6:10 KJV 1900

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Let Him fight the battle, because only He can win.