The whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19)
The Bible warns that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). This does not mean that the physical world God created is evil, but that human society—its values, systems, and moral direction—is under the influence of a real personal being: Satan. Scripture presents Satan as a living, intelligent, spiritual enemy who opposes God. He also seeks to deceive, harm, and destroy human beings. Understanding who the evil one is and how he operates is essential for living wisely in a fallen world.
Natural danger vs. personal, moral evil
A few hours from me is a state park called Starved Rock, where I have been many times. The park has high hills and sandstone bluffs overlooking the Illinois River. There are 18 canyons and several caves. If you leave the marked trail at some points, you might walk on hazardous rocks where it is easy to slip and fall a long way. Over the last ten years three people have died and dozens injured from falls in the park.
The park has posted warning signs. Would reading one of those warnings keep you from visiting the park? Probably not. They did not stop me from bringing my children there numerous times. If you are careful, you are safe.
But what would you do if you were planning to go there, and you happened to see on the news that three convicts had escaped from a nearby prison and were hiding in the park. They had already accosted several hikers, stealing their money. One woman walking alone in the park has disappeared. Would this scenario prevent you from following through with your plans to visit the park?
Probably so, and with good reason. It is easier to protect yourself against harm from nature than from an evil person.
Satan is real: the Bible’s teaching on the devil
That is why we should take seriously the warning in Scripture that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19). That is because “the evil one” is a person. He is the most evil person in the universe: Satan, also called the devil.
Jesus and the temptation of Satan
Satan is real. He tempted Jesus, the Son of God, in the wilderness:
The Bible says in Matthew 4:1–11: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’
“Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you,” and “On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”’ Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”’
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”’ Then the devil left him.”
What Jesus taught about the devil
Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)
Jesus warned his followers about Satan. Comparing him to a thief stealing sheep, Jesus said Satan has three objectives: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).
Satan is a liar and a murderer (John 8:44)
Jesus also said of Satan that “he was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). So Satan is a murderer. He tries to deceive people to believe lies about God and what God says.
Satan the tempter and adversary (Matthew 4:3; 1 Peter 5:8)
Matthew 4:3 calls Satan, “the tempter.” He does everything he can to lead people into sin.
1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” So he is the adversary and enemy of every person. He resembles a man-eating lion.
Satan hates humans because he hates God, and the Bible says God created us in his image.
Demons and the spiritual reality of evil
Why spiritual evil is more dangerous than we realize
So, Satan is a real person, an invisible spiritual being, the most evil being in the universe, and earth is his home. Furthermore, he is not alone. There are millions of evil, invisible, spiritual persons called demons, who do his bidding. They are just as real as Satan and have the same purpose.
These evil spirits are why every person must take God’s warning seriously: “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19).
How can we live in a world under the evil one’s power?
So how do you live in this fallen world without coming under the influence of the evil one and his demons? We will talk about that in my next post.
To read the first two posts in this series, click first and second.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Evil One
FAQ 1
What does it mean that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one?
It means that human society, apart from God, is under the influence of Satan, who works to oppose God, deceive people, and promote sin and rebellion against divine truth.
FAQ 2
Is Satan a real person according to the Bible?
Yes. The Bible presents Satan as a real, personal, spiritual being who speaks, tempts, lies, and acts intentionally, not merely as a symbol of evil.
FAQ 3
What did Jesus teach about Satan?
Jesus taught that Satan is a liar, a murderer, and a thief who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, and he personally resisted Satan’s temptations through obedience to God’s Word.
FAQ 4
Are demons real in the Bible?
Yes. Scripture teaches that demons are evil spiritual beings who serve Satan and share his purpose of opposing God and harming humanity.