The world under Satan’s dominion
The Bible teaches that after mankind sinned, the whole earth fell under the dominion of Satan.
Jesus calls Satan the prince of the world.
John 12:31 (NIV) Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
Jesus did not challenge Satan when he said that the world belongs to him.
Luke 4:57 (NIV) The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendour, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Satan’s power is limited by God.
(Job 1:8-12 NIV) Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” {9} “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. {10} “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. {11} But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” {12} The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
Sometimes Satan is given extra permission to inflict someone.
(2 Cor 12:7 NIV) To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
Satan has the power to influence weather.
(Mat 8:23-27 NIV) Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. {24} Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. {25} The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” {26} He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. {27} The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Satan has power to influence our minds, causing us to reject God.
(2 Cor 4:4 NIV) The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Not only does Satan deceive unbelievers, Christians are also being deceived by Satan.
(Heb 6:4-6 NIV) It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, {5} who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, {6} if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
Satan has power to hinder our evangelistic efforts
(1 Th 2:18 NIV) For we wanted to come to you–certainly I, Paul, did, again and again–but Satan stopped us.
Satan cannot totally control a person
Even the most severe case of demon possession shows us that that person has the ability to run to Jesus and worship Him (Mark 5:1-20)
We are able to resist the devil.
(James 4:7 NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.