From Bondage to Freedom

"We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." - 1 John 5:19 (NKJV)

Satan is described as the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), and Ephesians 2:2 says, "you once walked according to the course of this world," which is stating that our lifestyle has been based upon the principles of this present world, with its material, fleshly values. We adopted the worldview of the devil. We valued what this world valued. "According to the prince of the power of the air," emphasizing that we were dominated by the personality of satan.

1 John 5:19 agrees when it says, "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." The Living Bible reads, "the rest of the world around us is under satan's power and control." The picture here is that of a little baby lying in the lap of his mother, absolutely helpless. This verse says that the whole world lies helplessly in the lap, in the power, in the grip, of the devil.

Ephesians 2:2 continues, "the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." The word "works" describes how the devil energizes the lives of those who are separated from God, and is the same word used to describe the empowering of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. People sin because they have to and because they want to, sinners by nature and by choice.

People think they're in control of their lives, but they're actually slaves to sinful practices they can't break free from. They say they're in charge, but they can't get along without the very things that enslave them. As Christians, we depend on the empowering of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life. We say, "Holy Spirit, fill my life, energize me to do the work that you've called me to do." That's the same word that says Satan is active in the unbeliever, empowering people who are of this world who have never named the name of Jesus Christ. Satan is energizing, empowering the sons of disobedience.

Though this grim statement accurately describes a person who has not given their life to Jesus Christ, those who have said "Jesus be my Lord and Savior" have been set free from satan's bondage! Jesus Christ set us free! Now, we can live for Him! Hallelujah

Reflection Question: What areas of your past life showed you were under Satan's dominion rather than truly free?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for delivering me from the power of darkness and translating me into the kingdom of Your dear Son. Help me remember that those without Christ are under Satan's control, even when they think they're free. Use me to share the liberating truth of the gospel, in Jesus' Name, amen.

This is adapted from The Vanishing of the Gospel: https://a.co/d/09DKujRi