By Mary Carothers

The whole world is under the control of the evil one (I John 5:19). A Christian friend quoted this to me in great disgust some time ago. Things were not going well for this young man, and he believed the reason was because the enemy controls the world.

I was sorry that he felt this way, but in my spirit, I knew that he didn’t understand the whole plan of God.

When the Bible says the whole world is under the control of the evil one it is not referring to Christians. We have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and brought into God’s kingdom of light, the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13).

Some people teach that when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, they abdicated their position of authority that God had given them over the earth and that Satan then became the god of this world. While I will not argue that point, we must understand that the enemy’s authority is very definitely under the power and control of Almighty God. In Daniel 5:21 we are told that Nebuchadnezzar had to learn that the Most High God rules and is sovereign over the kingdoms of men.

We must also understand that God, speaking through the Psalmist, tells us He has given the earth to mankind (Psalm 115:16). We are to be stewards of this earth and all that is in it (Psalm 8:4-8).

Just as Satan had to get permission from God before he could afflict Job, he cannot touch a child of God without our loving heavenly Father’s permission. God allows only the suffering into our lives that He knows can work for our eternal good. We want to be comfortable, but God wants us to be conformed to the image of Christ.

How do we become like Jesus? In Philippians 3:10, Paul tells us, I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death. We like the first part. I don’t know anyone who really likes to suffer. I certainly don’t. I wish God had worked things out differently, so life could be all fun and games. But God didn’t ask me what I thought! He has something far better in mind for those who belong to Him. We are destined to rule and reign with Jesus – throughout eternity!

Paul understood this and was able to say, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). Jesus said, Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows, but cheer up, for I have overcome the world (John 16:33 TLB).

Who’s in control here? God says He is! When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm (Psalm 75:3). God is king of all the earth (Psalm 47:7). That’s who is in control! And that’s why we can give thanks always for all things – because our loving heavenly Father is in control.