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1 John 5:19
“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”
In today’s verse, John draws a line through the entire human race. Those who are from God stand on one side; the whole world, lying in the power of the evil one, stands on the other. There is no third category, and modern readers who find such a division uncomfortable must reckon with the fact that the Apostle presents it as something we know, not merely something we suspect.
Our efforts to overcome sin and remain in faith are important, but if we had to rely solely on our own power, we would be undone. Yet we do not have to rely on ourselves alone. We have a Savior who ever lives to make intercession for us and who can save us to the uttermost, because the Father always responds to the prayers of His Son for His people (Heb. 7:25). This is what it means to be “from God”: We belong by grace to the One who keeps us.
This is not true of the world, for “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). John has used the word “world” throughout his letter to mean humanity organized against God, and he now describes it as lying in the enemy’s grip. Scripture elsewhere calls Satan the god of this age. Those who are part of the world do not receive the benefits of Jesus’ power and intercession. All those who live lives dominated by unrepentant sin reveal that they are not born of God and thus cannot rightfully expect Jesus’ intercession on their behalf.
This dichotomy explains why the Christian life so often feels like swimming against a strong cultural current, for behind the assumptions of the age stands a personal enemy who has blinded the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4). Yet John’s realism gives no license for contempt. Every Christian was once exactly where the world remains, and nothing in us made the difference. It was the Father who delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Col. 1:13). Remembering our own deliverance keeps us gentle toward unbelievers, urgent about the gospel, and steady in the faith, because the ruler of this world has already been judged and holds what he holds only until the appointed day. His power is limited and temporary. This gives us great courage to face the raging currents with boldness. When the world presses against us because of our beliefs and conduct, let us assure our hearts that we belong to the One who has bound the strong man (Matt. 12:29).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Because we are from God, we need not fear the world’s powerful influence. Nor must we rely on our own resources for the battle. The Lord provides the strength and the tools for those whom He loves, and He promises to never leave or forsake His heritage. Let us take heart in this promise.
For further study
- John 8:42–47
- Ephesians 2:1–3
- Ephesians 6:10–13
- 1 Peter 5:8–10
The bible in a year
- Ezekiel 37–38
- 2 Peter 1