Ch. 2
The Powers of Darkness Control Men Through Thoughts
Satan is the god of this world (1 Cor. 4:4). Since the way of Satan and the way of the flesh is the same, the powers of darkness are continually directing the hearts of the people in the world toward selfishness. Because both the people of the world and the worldly people in the church love this selfish nature, Satan uses them as puppets, keeping their minds and hearts occupied with selfish ambition and the things of this present world.
Satan leads the whole world to practice sin and rebellion toward God. The people of the world welcome thoughts and suggestions from the powers of darkness, such as anger, unforgiveness, hate, envy, lust, jealousy, greed, pride, and revenge.
Everyone walks and talks like his master, Satan. You will know them by their fruits. However, the Spirit of God leads Christians to take all these selfish thoughts captive that exalt themselves against the Word of God in order to walk in loving obedience to Christ. This is how we resist Satan and the flesh.
Satan and the powers of darkness have the whole world seeking success, power, control, beauty, greed, selfish ambition, name, and reputation. Everyone deceives his neighbor in order to seek these selfish interests for himself. He seldom considers the needs of others, nor his Creator, because of his selfish motives.
Therefore, the whole world is under judgment and the wrath of God. The sentence of death rests upon each person in the world. With every act of rebellion toward God and his neighbor, the powers of darkness are able to build stronghold upon stronghold, fortress upon fortress, until he is destroyed. This judgment comes upon him because he loves the nature of Satan and hates his neighbor, rather than loving the nature of God so he can also love his neighbor. He walks in spiritual ignorance and spiritual darkness because he does not seek with his whole heart the One who created him.
God permits the heart of every man to be tested. From morning until night, the powers of darkness tempt his heart against his neighbor, or entice his heart with things of the world. Satan will remain his master as long as he does not come to receive wisdom and knowledge from God so he can walk in love. Without the wisdom of God, he will remain in ignorance and be destroyed in spiritual darkness. Each person in the world spends his entire life living for himself and comparing himself with others: “they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Cor. 10:12). “The people which sat in great darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:16, 17).