We saw last week that Satan is alive and working in the natural realm, but he doesn’t stop there! He is also busy at work in the affairs of men. Whether it’s international politics, the media, academia, the entertainment industry, or the fads and fashions of the world, his influence is undeniable. Paul referred to Satan as “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).
From evolutionary theory to Marxist philosophy, from racial prejudice to multiculturalism, from the sexual revolution to gay marriages, from broken homes to the epidemic of violent crime, from alcoholism to drug addiction—Satan’s work is evident. The hatred and violence, the death and destruction, and the pain and the misery from the beginning of history until today can all, to a large degree, be attributed to the activity of the devil.
Up Close and Personal
The personality, purpose, and power of the devil were clearly revealed in the person of Adolf Hitler and the events that surrounded his attempt to rule the world. If you want an up-close-and-personal look at what the devil is like, just consider the actions of Hitler’s Third Reich and the atrocities of the Second World War, especially the attempted extermination of the Jewish people.
The Communists provide another example of the true nature of Satan. Think of the millions of people murdered under the radical antichrist spirit that is so prevalent among the adherents of Marxism. The late Richard Wurmbrand, who suffered immense persecution under the Communist regime in Romania, wrote a book entitled Marx and Satan in which he documented Marx’s early involvement in Satanism.
The Wicked One
Satan is not to be regarded lightly; rather, he is a horrific beast who is set on destroying as many people as possible.
More recently, Satan has been expressing himself through Muslim extremists and their murderous rampages against all those who disagree with their fanatical views. His influence is especially obvious in the militant anti-Israel, anti-Christian rhetoric coming out of certain segments of the Islamic community.
Truly, as the apostle John said, “The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19).