Axis of Supernatural Evil 1 - The World

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:12-13 NIV

Until we die or until Jesus comes again, we are in a struggle, a fight, a war. Fortunately, as someone once wrote, “I read the back of the book and we win!” The war has already been won! Jesus is victorious!

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:56-58 NIV

As Paul encourages us, we must stand firm in the victory that has already been won!

Wisdom dictates, however, that we recognize our enemy and his methods.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Eph 6:10-12 NIV

We must be equipped to stand against our enemy’s schemes.

The first step is to recognize who our enemies are – spiritually.

The World
The Greek word for world in this instance is “kosmos” - humanity in its sinful aspect, the spirit and forces of fallen humanity regarded as antagonistic to God and to good, "all around us which does not love God."*

But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins." John 8:23-24 NIV

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Cor 2:12 NIV

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27 NIV

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 1 John 5:19 NIV

This world system is under the control of the devil. We see him offering it al to Jesus during the temptation in the wilderness.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Matt 4:8-9 NIV

We cannot give something that is not ours. However, the devil only has control of it because of our sin and will lose control during the millennial reign of Christ and finally when the new heaven and new earth are established (re-established?)

Without Christ we are in bondage, i.e., slavery, to this system.

So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. Gal 4:2-3 NIV

Before Christ and without Christ, we must sin. We must obey the father of lies. We must adhere to the principles of a fallen and depraved system.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. Eph 2:1-2 NIV

The world is at enmity with the things of God. It is the polar opposite. In fact, to love the world, to embrace the world’s system of thought and actions demonstrates a lack of love for the Father.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 NIV

These verses outline the world’s system:
The cravings of sinful man – the unchecked human appetites for food (gluttony), euphoria (drugs and alcohol), sex (promiscuity, perversion), etc.
The lust of his eyes – jealousy, envy, adultery, sensuality
The boasting of what he has and does – self-centeredness, narcissism, arrogance, self-reliance

If we can recognize this system and its “modus operandi” or how it operates, we can be prepared and walk in victory.

Peter put it this way, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV

Be watchful. Be alert. Be innocent but not naive!

*(from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright (c)1996 by Biblesoft)