We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 11 New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2020), 1 Jn 5:19–20.The whole world lies in the power of the evil one, what is the power of the evil one? What is the power of God? I believe these are essential questions that one must consider. In these verses, we find a divide between the world and the children of God. Those who are under the power of the evil one do not have the understanding that the children of God have. By definition this power is one of darkness, it involves having no light, in other words – no knowledge or understanding of God. This fits most of the world – this does not speak of intelligence but spiritual life.
In any case, to answer this question we need to go back to the beginning. To the Garden of Eden where God gave man a command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He then told the man what would happen should he choose to disobey him and eat from that tree. The evil one then came along and lied to the man, saying, “You will not surely die”. He negated the truth that God had revealed to Adam. Using the power of lies he destroyed man. From that point forward all were born with the consequence of this decision, under the power of the evil one, not knowing God, spiritually dead.
The power of the evil one is lies, lies keep one from reality while truth sets one free to live in reality. The evil one does not want anyone to know the reality, that they do not know God, that this not knowing God is a pretty big deal- it is spiritual death. No, he wants to keep one distracted – heads down, busy with the things of this life, don’t even think about these things. He muddies the waters with religion and all manner of distractions because of course should one know the truth then they might want to remedy this situation. The good news is that there is a remedy, knowing the truth, and embracing the truth will lead to life.
Lack of knowledge of God is our default setting when we arrive on this earth, this is as a result of the decision of Adam and Eve. The evil one wants to keep everyone in this state; this is the war that has been going on since the beginning. It is between truth and lies. Whether you like it or not you are part of it. We all must be born again if we will enter the kingdom of God. This refers to moving over from the default setting to a new creation that can now know God and be led into all truth. In the course of time, some embrace the truth, it is the only way out of death into life. Those who embrace the truth are translated from Satan’s domain – lies – to the Kingdom of God – which is light and life (Colossians 1:13).
Isaiah prophesied of a great light coming to a people who walk in darkness, some translations say these people lived in the “valley of the shadow of death”. He was talking about this issue, of living in non reality (lies), not knowing God versus knowing the truth and of course salvation results from embracing the truth.
1 But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 aThe people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2020), Is 9:1–2.These scriptures in Isaiah were fulfilled when Jesus, God in human form came to the earth. In the testimony of John, John 4:39-54 Jesus visited a town called Sycar and the area of Galilee where a people called the Samaritans lived. Here many believed in him. This is the very area Isaiah prophesied about! These people saw a “great light” and they embraced the light. They even asked Him to stay with them longer (John 4:39-42) and the testimony of those who believed in him is recorded – they testified that He is indeed the Christ, the savior of the world. This is in contrast to the people of Judea, his own people, the Jews.
This is the power of God – the truth! Placing trust and confidence in the truth that God has revealed will result in life. Jesus, the lamb of God came to give himself as an offering for sin. The sin committed in the garden resulted in death, but this was followed by the promise of a savior (Genesis 3:15) who would defeat the devil. This promised savior is the Christ, the savior of the world. Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies. He is the savior of the world and is looking for those who will believe and be born again. The work is accomplished, it is finished, he said (John 19:30). What you need to do is believe.