Have you ever been around someone who blames Satan for nearly everything? Have you heard preaching and lamenting that give the impression that Satan is a roaring lion, simultaneously seeking everyone everywhere? Some seemingly paradoxical truths concerning Satan in the NT are seldom acknowledged but worthy of a 4-minute read. It seems to me that the big evangelical church loves our ditches. One ditch is that there is no Satan, and the other is that Satan seems to be the devil, who is culpable for every sin, everywhere. But what should our perspective be?
In John 12:31, Jesus says, “Now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” The ESV and CSB Study Bibles give the same note. “The ruler of this world in its present fallen, sinful state is Satan (cf. 14:30; 16:11; 1 John 5:19). Now, at the cross, the Devil will be cast out, that is, decisively defeated (cf. Luke 10:18; Col. 2:14–15; Heb. 2:14–15). Jesus’ triumph over Satan in his death and resurrection is the basis for his final triumph in the consummation (Rev. 20:10).” All believers must acknowledge that something decisive happened to “the ruler of this world” when Christ rose from the dead. Some use the language of dethroned.
Three sentences from the Logos Bible Software AI amalgamation of resources were helpful to me. “This expulsion is metaphorical, representing Satan’s inability to keep his victims enslaved, though he still exercises some power in the world. The crucifixion of Jesus is seen as the moment when Satan’s dominion is broken, allowing people to be drawn to Christ. This verse is closely connected to John 12:32, where Jesus says that when he is “lifted up” (referring to his crucifixion and exaltation), he will draw all people to himself.” Notice there is an acknowledgment of defeat, yet Satan is not dead. And most importantly, he (the devil) isn’t keeping anyone from coming to Christ.
In John 14:30, our chapter this morning, Jesus plainly says, “the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me.” Born from above, believer, that’s you, too. Are you in Christ? If the answer is “yes,” then the ruler of this world also has no power over you. Satan is not omnipresent and omnipotent. The NT acknowledges the evil one, but he is not the culpable agent for all sin. My flesh is the problem. Or my failure to be led by the Spirit is the problem. Let’s be more careful, deliberate, and intentional in our language. The devil didn’t make you do it.
Sin is the problem. In Genesis 4:7, Yahweh personifies “sin crouching at the door.” Yahweh tells Cain and all of us that we must rule over sin. In Mark 9, Jesus points to the eye, hand, and foot as capable of causing you to sin. My eye, my hand, and my foot are the problem. In Romans 6:12, Paul writes, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.” In that sentence, there is a single verb—which we translate “do not let not reign over”—that is in the imperative form, expressing both a hope and a command that sin not be allowed to exert influence or occupy a position of rulership or dominance in the believer’s heart. It is imperative that you presently and actively ensure sin is not reigning in your life (and my life). Or, to say it like Yahweh said it, I must “rule over” sin. The next time you are tempted to make the devil responsible, use the biblical language of “I didn’t rule over sin.”
