In this epistle written by John, the disciple of Jesus Christ, he refutes the anti-Christian doctrines that were prevalent at that time. John uses very strong words (such as false prophets, deceivers, antichrists) to describe those who perpetrated false doctrines. Towards the end of the epistle, in our key verse, John identifies the mark of the people who are lured by false doctrines and those who are standing firm in Christ and His teaching. Those who are under the influence of the false doctrines are described as under the control of the wicked one.  The verse says that the whole world is under the sway (power / influence / control / command) of the wicked one. But the same verse begins with a profound statement that “we”- the believers belong to God!- a distinctive differentiation of the believers from the people of the world. 

But the verse says the whole world is under the sway of the wicked one, which tells us that the control of the whole world is with the devil. But, in that same world Jesus Christ established His Kingdom, which is the Kingdom of God, where He is the King of kings and Lord of lords! In the same epistle, in 1John 2:15-17, John gives us more insight into the concept of “world.”

According the to creation account, God the Father gave man the authority to rule the world (Genesis 1:28). But at the fall of man, he lost his unique position of authority to rule over the world! That’s what the devil claimed to Jesus in Luke 4:6 “All this authority…. has been delivered to me…”. However, Jesus Christ did something unique through His death and resurrection, and received that authority to Himself. Matt. 28:18 –“ And Jesus came up and spoke to them saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth”  and He reinstated that authority back to man; Luke 10:19 – “ Behold I have given you authority to tread over serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.” No human being could ever do it! Christ was able to do it since He was and is God and at the same time man. Only a person who was fully God and fully man could ever disarm the powerful enemy and recapture all the lost authority and reinstate it to man! Hallelujah – through the cross Jesus did it! 

John 12:31- “Now judgement is upon the world, now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”

Colossians 2:15 – “When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”

Romans 16:20- “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”

In His resurrection, Jesus defeated His enemy. From that moment on, Satan survives on borrowed time. He is already defeated; only the announcement of victory has to be given!
In the Book of Revelation we see this declaration: Revelation 12:10 – “ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.”

However, those who live in this world now can become partakers of this victory by coming under the authority of Christ. They are named as those who are “of God”. Those who are the children of God also were once “in the world”, but they are not of the world, but Jesus Christ chose them “out” of the world. (John 17:11 & 15)

Our decision today can change our destiny forever! By choosing to come under the authority of Christ, we decide to come out of the sway of the wicked one!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I choose to come under your authority.

May You reign in my life always, Amen.