Based on this post, by Peter Mead.

Many Christians will acknowledge the existence of the devil.  Yet few have any real sense of his activities in the world today.

Perhaps this is part of his genius: if he can’t persuade us of his non-existence, then he’ll convince us of his non-importance.  And so he is left to do his malicious work unopposed by the prayers and actions of the faithful.

But consider this outline of biblical teaching on Satan:

1. His origin.  According to some Bible students Ezekiel 28:11-19 tells of Satan’s original perfection, prideful arrogance, and primary doman (which is now Earth and Sheol).  Genesis 3 tells us that he is under God’s curse.  [Note: along with many others, I’m not convinced by this interpretation of Ezekiel 28]

2. His influence in the world.  He is called ‘the prince of this world’ in John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11.  According to 1 John 5:19, the whole world lies within his power.  He is utterly deceitful, such that he masquerades as an angel of light (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:14).  Many people are so under his spell that he can be considered as their ‘father’ John 8:44; Matthew 13:36-40; Acts 13:10; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 3:10).

3. His influence over nations.  He claimed to be able to offer the nations to Jesus, if only the Savour would bow down to him (Matthew 4:10).

4. His influence in the church.  This is a limited and temporary influence (Romans 16:20), but real nonetheless.  Note how he influenced (John 13:2) and then entered (John 13:27) Judas.  True believers need not fear, because God is greater than the devil (1 John 4:4).  But we should take care not to give any opportunity to the devil  (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9).

5. His defeat.  Jesus has already won the victory over the evil powers (Colossians 2:13-15).  Satan’s power is broken (Hebrews 2:14-15).  Death itself is swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).  The evil one is still intent on stealing and destroying (John 10:10) but his ultimate downfall is assured (Revelation 20:10).

So, what of our engagement in spiritual warfare?

Give the biblical background sketched above, do we under-estimate Satan’s power and influence?  When it comes to real-life, present-day issues, are we in denial?

Peter Mead invites us to consider the following:

‘Could there be evil at work in news reporting designed to shape our thinking?’

‘Might the enemy be shaping education to harm children?’

‘What about medical professionals who seem driven by something other than ‘first do no harm?’’

‘What about government decisions that seem to benefit them but harm people and cost lives?’

‘What about unelected and unaccountable groups of the hyper-rich and influential seeking to gain control over ordinary people?’

‘What about influential people who have publicly declared the global population needs to be reduced by whatever means?’

‘What about the entertainment industry that so fills our consciousness?’

In conclusion:

‘It does not mean much to acknowledge that Satan is real and active if we then immediately deny that he could be at work in almost every layer of human authority and influence.  And I would suggest we are utterly naïve if we don’t believe that the prevailing paradigm of our day, with its “lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God”, is influenced by Satan.  (See 2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

‘In the past, Christians seemed ready to recognize the malevolence of hedonism or materialism as it confronted our worldview in the so-called “Christian West” or the evils of totalitarian regimes in the East.  But today, too many Christians seem happy to play along with and believe the best about media-driven narratives concerning identity politics, critical theories, social justice, weather worship, globalist agendas, neo-communist ideologies, uncontrolled immigration and encroaching violent religion.  Are we sure that we should ‘believe the best’ and ‘affirm the good’ in all the ideas swirling around and in all the layers of authority setting themselves up over us?

‘Perhaps it is time for us to fix our eyes on Jesus and recognize that we are genuine outsiders in this world and that we will be hated by it. And yet we are here as ambassadors to represent God’s truth, to share the hope of Jesus, to stand for what is right and to not love our lives even unto death. Let’s stop smiling at the devil as if he is an insignificant foe.  Let us instead armour up, stand firm, be ready to speak, be prayerful as if we are in a war (for we are), and when we have done everything we can, to stand.’