Satan's Role in the World System (1 John 5)

http://www.macarthurcommentaries.com

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)

Despite the existence of countless political, cultural, and social entities in the world, there are in reality only two realms. It is the comforting privilege of believers, in addition to having eternal life, answered prayer, and victory over sin, to know they belong to God. Though they exist in this world, they are not part of it (John 15:19; 17:14); they are children of God (John 1:12--13), "aliens and strangers" (1 Peter 2:11; cf. 1:1, 17; 1 Chron. 29:15; Ps. 119:19; Heb. 11:13), whose true citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20).

On the other hand, the whole world—its politics, economics, education, entertainment, and, above all, its religion—lies in the power of the evil one. The evil world system is hostile to God and believers (John 15:18--19), as John noted earlier in this epistle. It takes its cue from its ruler, Satan (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; cf. Eph. 2:2; 6:12), the archenemy of God and His people. Because the world is completely under Satan's influence, believers must avoid being contaminated by it (2:15--17; cf. James 1:27).

There is no middle ground, no third option. Everyone is part of God's kingdom, or of Satan's. In the words of Jesus, "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters" (Luke 11:23). Or as James scathingly declares, "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4).

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• politics
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• John MacArthur
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[AugmentedMinor]

Why don't these play all the way through on my Facebook when GTY posts them?

[JohnMacArthurGTY]

@AugmentedMinor You can find the videos on Facebook under /GracetoYou. There you can share them on you Facebook account.

[MrBeautifulba1]

This is another fantastic reason NOT to have children. I can't understand why anyone would bring an innocent child into a fallen world where deception is so rampant. I wish that I had been aborted and therefore immediately transported to heaven, instead of having to deal with this complete insanity.

[AugmentedMinor]

@JohnMacArthurGTY Alrighty, thanks.

[raisethedead33]

i find John MacArthur to be the best preacher of this day of all the preachers ive heard, the way he speaks and even his voice. Awesome bible expositer teacher preacher all of the above, I think God for John in this day and age of deception and many voices.

[splang]

Be a roadrunner and flee from Wiley E. Coyote a.k.a. The Adversary, Satan, The Devil. He's real! The god of this world.. Life is so much more uplifting with a clear conscience...thanks John. Good stuff.

[Ryno706]

This is why I love your videos John, I watch some videos on the New World Order that constantly remind me how much the world has souled out to the devil and I then remember that Jesus warned us before that this would happen. Keep the Faith brother and God Bless you!

Ryan

[ElGuapCakes]

That makes so much sense. Thank you for this!