“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.”
(1 John 5:19, NKJV)
(1 John 5:19, NKJV)
In Heaven, God has full and complete power. It is God’s Kingdom. The earth may have been created by God, but it has been influenced by Satan. Here on earth, things are “under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). When you are conceived into this world, Satan can attack you. He can manipulate your world view. Evil can endanger you. Wickedness can be sent your way. As Christians, we “are of God” (1 John 5:19). This won’t stop us from being tempted and harassed by evil forces. Even when you do the right things, evil can be right behind you. Even if you are righteous, wicked people can go after you. This world is a spiritually and physically dangerous place. It’s all too easy to be caught off guard, emotionally blinded, or deceived by worldliness.
When I came to my office one dark winter day, a woman was waiting just outside. I could tell she had been crying. Her eyes were red. Her face was streaked with tears. She looked utterly defeated. I didn’t say anything until I walked over and gave her a hug. I asked her to come in my office. I parked a box of Kleenex next to her. She took two and continued in her tears. Over the next hour, she poured out her sorrow. Her husband had admitted to an affair. A woman from his work had lured him away. A marriage of eighteen years was breaking apart.
During the next few weeks, we began to sort out the truth from the lies. Her husband moved out. The wife begged for counseling. He would do no such thing. After a month, the truth began to settle in the heart of the woman…. her husband was not coming back. She and the kids had lost him. He didn’t want to make the marriage work. I remember her looking straight at me and saying, “It’s not fair, Pastor Dave! I was faithful to him! I raised the kids doing the best job I could. He came to church with me every Sunday! How could this happen?” This suffering wife was exposed to the kind of evil that shreds marriages and destroys lives. She couldn’t understand what she had done wrong. She couldn’t fix what went awry. She couldn’t go back in time and make things right.
Yes, the husband had cheated. Yes, he abandoned his family. However, this wife had forgotten a very important part of living in this world. None of us is free from suffering at the hand of the evil one. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been faithful. It doesn’t matter how good you have been. Evil lurks in this world. Until we are in heaven, we are never safe from suffering and betrayal brought on by sinful actions. You can’t always trust the people and things of this world. God is the only one who is trustworthy. Only God will be faithful.
Being a faithful Christian doesn’t prevent evil from coming your way. On the contrary, Satan knows you are faithful and has put his target on your back. If there is any way to cause you suffering, he will find it. Here in this world, Satan has some power. “The world lies under the sway” of his wicked plans. The Heavenly Father will influence things. His angels will watch over your life. However, Satan will attempt to shake your faith, tear away your calm, and separate you from the Holy Spirit. Satan will send his minions to take away things you hold dear and cause suffering where he will. The prophet Job experienced these exact things at the hand of Satan (Job 1). What makes you think Satan won’t go after you as well?
You might be trustworthy, but that won’t stop another from betraying you. Judas betrayed Jesus! You might be born with a beautiful body and good looks. Don’t be surprised when some people want to manipulate or abuse your natural gifts. Inheriting lots of money or power won’t keep you from being used or from losing you faith. Being honest won’t stop others from being dishonest in return. This world is not fair. There are places and people that are wicked. There are evil ones who will abuse an innocent child. There are leaders who will abuse their authority. As long as you are on this earth, you will never be immune from the influences of evil.
Jesus warned his followers with these words: “I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16, ESV). This world is under the sway of evil forces. Be careful who you trust. Don’t let the evil taint your heart and soul. Don’t let the wickedness of others cause you to respond in kind. Trust in God. God will warn you of spiritual darkness. Rely heavily on God’s Spirit. This will keep you connected to your heavenly home. On the last night of His life, Jesus gave another warning to his disciples. He said in the garden, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41, ESV). You will be tempted. Trials will come. Suffering may be thrown your way unfairly. In the end, your faith needs to rise to the occasion. Your trust in God must be stronger than the pull of this world. Satan’s’ judgment day is coming. Your salvation is as well.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12, ESV)
When I came to my office one dark winter day, a woman was waiting just outside. I could tell she had been crying. Her eyes were red. Her face was streaked with tears. She looked utterly defeated. I didn’t say anything until I walked over and gave her a hug. I asked her to come in my office. I parked a box of Kleenex next to her. She took two and continued in her tears. Over the next hour, she poured out her sorrow. Her husband had admitted to an affair. A woman from his work had lured him away. A marriage of eighteen years was breaking apart.
During the next few weeks, we began to sort out the truth from the lies. Her husband moved out. The wife begged for counseling. He would do no such thing. After a month, the truth began to settle in the heart of the woman…. her husband was not coming back. She and the kids had lost him. He didn’t want to make the marriage work. I remember her looking straight at me and saying, “It’s not fair, Pastor Dave! I was faithful to him! I raised the kids doing the best job I could. He came to church with me every Sunday! How could this happen?” This suffering wife was exposed to the kind of evil that shreds marriages and destroys lives. She couldn’t understand what she had done wrong. She couldn’t fix what went awry. She couldn’t go back in time and make things right.
Yes, the husband had cheated. Yes, he abandoned his family. However, this wife had forgotten a very important part of living in this world. None of us is free from suffering at the hand of the evil one. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been faithful. It doesn’t matter how good you have been. Evil lurks in this world. Until we are in heaven, we are never safe from suffering and betrayal brought on by sinful actions. You can’t always trust the people and things of this world. God is the only one who is trustworthy. Only God will be faithful.
Being a faithful Christian doesn’t prevent evil from coming your way. On the contrary, Satan knows you are faithful and has put his target on your back. If there is any way to cause you suffering, he will find it. Here in this world, Satan has some power. “The world lies under the sway” of his wicked plans. The Heavenly Father will influence things. His angels will watch over your life. However, Satan will attempt to shake your faith, tear away your calm, and separate you from the Holy Spirit. Satan will send his minions to take away things you hold dear and cause suffering where he will. The prophet Job experienced these exact things at the hand of Satan (Job 1). What makes you think Satan won’t go after you as well?
You might be trustworthy, but that won’t stop another from betraying you. Judas betrayed Jesus! You might be born with a beautiful body and good looks. Don’t be surprised when some people want to manipulate or abuse your natural gifts. Inheriting lots of money or power won’t keep you from being used or from losing you faith. Being honest won’t stop others from being dishonest in return. This world is not fair. There are places and people that are wicked. There are evil ones who will abuse an innocent child. There are leaders who will abuse their authority. As long as you are on this earth, you will never be immune from the influences of evil.
Jesus warned his followers with these words: “I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16, ESV). This world is under the sway of evil forces. Be careful who you trust. Don’t let the evil taint your heart and soul. Don’t let the wickedness of others cause you to respond in kind. Trust in God. God will warn you of spiritual darkness. Rely heavily on God’s Spirit. This will keep you connected to your heavenly home. On the last night of His life, Jesus gave another warning to his disciples. He said in the garden, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41, ESV). You will be tempted. Trials will come. Suffering may be thrown your way unfairly. In the end, your faith needs to rise to the occasion. Your trust in God must be stronger than the pull of this world. Satan’s’ judgment day is coming. Your salvation is as well.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12, ESV)