A World Ovepowered by Satan

The secular world is a prolific source of harmful ideas.  (1 Corinthians 3:19) Jesus Christ prayed to God regarding his disciples:  "I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one."  (John 17:15) Jesus' request that his disciples be protected from "the wicked one" acknowledged the influence that Satan has in the world.  Our being Christians does not automatically shield us from the bad influences of this world.  John wrote: "We know we originate with God,  but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one."  ( 1 John 5:19) Especially during this final part of the last days, it is to be expected that Satan and his demons will saturate the world with harmful information.

It is also to be expected that some of this harmful information may appear harmless.  (2 Corinthians 11:14) Consider, for example, the world of entertainment, with its TV shows, movies, music and a printed page.  Many agree that in more and more cases, certain forms of entertainment promote degrading practices, such as immorality, violence and drug abuse. On first exposure to a form of entertainment that sinks to a new low, audiences may be shocked.  But repeated exposure can desensitize one.  Never should we view as acceptable or harmless entertainment that promotes harmful ideas. -Psalm 119:37.

Consider another source of potentially damaging information-the flood of ideas published by some scientists and scholars who challenge the Bible's authenticity.  (Compare James 3:15) Such material appears frequently in mainstream magazines and popular books, and it can erode confidence in the Bible.  Some individuals take pride in weakening the authority of the Word of God with  endless speculations. A similar danger existed in the days of the apostles, as is clear from the apostles Paul's words: "Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty  deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ." -Colossians 2:8.

Next time: Enemies of the Truth

The Watchtower, 2000