Satan – god of this world
In the book of 2 Corinthians Chapter 4 and verse 4, we see Satan given the title “god of this world”. What does this mean?
First, we realise that God alone is in full control of everything. From the vastness of the universe to the minuteness of the smallest particle we can see. God is in ultimate control, and Satan can only do as much as God allows him to do.
If you have any doubts about this, then may I suggest you read the “Book of Job”. Here you can witness God permitting Satan to bring certain troubles to Job. But Satan could do only what God allowed.
Only once in the entire bible was the term “god of this world” used. Let us read and examine this passage of scripture to see why he was given this title..
The Light of the Gospel
2Co 4:1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
(2) Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
(3) And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
(4) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
(5) For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
(6) For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
Who are those who are perishing in verse three above? They are certainly not innocent victims. Satan’s blinding of them has been made possible only because of the refusal of these people to believe in Jesus Christ. They have been hindered by Satan.
Those who are perishing
Joh 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Joh 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
These men loved the darkness, where they thought they could hide their evil ways. They hated the light because this allowed others to see the works they carried out.
In 2Cor 4:4 above, we see it is the minds of unbelievers that Satan has veiled from the truth. But he is also actively influencing the heart and thoughts of people. This is another reason he is called “The prince of the power of the air”. Satan is powerful, and therefore he is called “The god of this world”. But notice the word god is spelled with a lowercase “g”. He can only blind those who will not believe.
Satan is the god of this world, just the same as Baal was the god of whoever worshipped him. Not a God at all.
Therefore, put your trust in the only true God of the Universe (not just the world) and worship Him only.
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