Human Responsibility vs. Spiritual Influence: You Don't Have To Be Under Satan's Power
John 16:29-30
His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God."
The bible tells us that Satan has taken people captive. The apostle Paul says men are under his control against their wills. He said they cannot see the truth.
2 Timothy 2:26
"held captive by [the devil] to do his will"
Another relevant passage is 2 Corinthians 4:4, which states,
"In their case the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God"
So, here's the problem, the so-called human condition, sin, influenced by Satan, distorts perception and hardens hearts (Hebrews 3:13). People may not realize they are deceived because of this deception, and therefore by nature, that sin obscures truth. This aligns with the idea that people are not always willingly rejecting truth but are under a spiritual influence that obscures it, making the gospel seem foolish or irrelevant. The imagery of a "snare" implies being trapped, often unknowingly. People may act in ways that align with Satan’s purposes (rejecting the gospel, living in sin) without fully realizing they are ensnared.
In the case of the disciples’, their ability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah came from His clear in-person revelation and divine insight, which overcame any spiritual blindness. The disciples’ growing faith in John 16 reflects the work of God’s Spirit breaking through this blindness (John 16:13-14, where the Spirit guides into truth).
In this passage, Jesus speaks directly about His relationship with the Father and His impending departure (John 16:16-28), prompting the disciples to say, "Now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech." This clarity aligns with their expectations of the Messiah as a teacher who would reveal divine truth unmistakably, fulfilling prophecies like Deuteronomy 18:15, where God promised a prophet like Moses who would speak His words directly.
"The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen"
Satan’s Usurped Power
The Bible portrays Satan as having temporary, limited influence over the world, often described as "usurped power" because it is not rightfully his. This authority stems from humanity’s fall into sin in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve’s disobedience gave Satan a foothold to influence the world (John 12:31, where he’s called "the ruler of this world," and Ephesians 2:2, "the prince of the power of the air" ). Satan’s influence is permitted by God but limited (Job 1:12, where Satan’s actions are bounded by God’s permission). And so, by choosing sin, humanity unwittingly aligns with Satan’s purposes, giving him influence (Romans 6:16, "you are slaves of the one whom you obey" ). This is why Paul describes people as "captive" to Satan’s will in 2 Timothy 2:26.
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection decisively broke Satan’s dominion (Colossians 2:15, where Jesus "disarmed the rulers and authorities" ). The gospel of Jesus Christ offers liberation from this usurped power.
This tension between human responsibility and Satan’s influence is central to the "human condition". Because of tje gospel Christians can bring others to the freedom of choice. Though they are blind and an agent of Satan through sin, through the intercessory prayers of believers they can break the bondage and opens their eyes to the truth. Then they are free moral agents who can now choose the truth. Believers therefore genuinely play an active role in helping others break free from Satan’s bondage.
Colossians 2:15 states,
"He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him"
By paying the penalty for sin on the cross, Jesus nullified Satan’s ability to hold humanity captive through guilt and death (Hebrews 2:14-15). The gospel liberates people from Satan’s “snare” (2 Timothy 2:26) by offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God. This victory is why the disciples’ recognition of Jesus as the Messiah in John 16:29-30 is significant, His clear revelation of divine truth (speaking "plainly" and knowing "all things" ) reflects His authority to overcome Satan’s deception, enabling them to see and choose the truth.
Timothy 2:24-26
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will."
Through prayer, Christians ask God to remove spiritual blindness, enabling people to see the gospel’s truth and then choose freely to respond in faith. Paul’s ministry modeled this, as he prayed for and taught others to see Christ’s glory. And as for myself, if I had to explain why I do what I do, I'd have to say that the Spirit gives me faith that must be shared, explained, and clarified for others to believe in Christ Jesus. In many ways, like Paul, my motives aren't to elevate myself in the eyes of God, but to illuminate for others the glory of God and the truth of the gospel.
Here's what I know, here's what the Spirit reveals to me:
Only God can "shine in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 4:6). Only God can do that because Satan is forever trying to obscure the truth and blind us to it. I know through the Spirit that prayer aligns believers with God’s work to open our blind eyes (Acts 26:18), and the blinded eyes of others. His Spirit gives Prophets, Preachers, Teachers, and Exhortations to help illuminate the truth breaking through the darkness.
2 Corinthians 4:6
"For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ"
The phrase "Let light shine out of darkness" echoes Genesis 1:3, showing that God’s power to create light in the physical world parallels His ability to bring spiritual light, revealing His glory through Jesus. That's what prayer is, it's tapping into God's creative power. That's what establishing the truth is, it's God's creative power. Prayer asks God to remove spiritual blindness, as only He can shine that light into hearts. Intercessory prayer helps others escape Satan’s snare. Just as God created light to dispel physical darkness, He shines spiritual light into believer's hearts, revealing "the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6).
It's all about proclaiming and protecting the truth. Prayer equips believers to share the gospel boldly, as the Spirit guides into truth (John 16:13) and empowers their witness (Acts 1:8). This connects to every believer's calling to "share, explain, and clarify" the truth. This mission counters Satan’s attempts to obscure the gospel and aligns with biblical mandates.
As for me, my role as a Spirit-led exhorter or teacher reflects this, sharing the faith I received in order to illuminate God’s truth (2 Corinthians 4:5, "We do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord" ). The Spirit has put on me this insatiable desire to know and share the truth of the gospel. Sometimes almost as if it's my only food. The Spirit fills me up with God's Word. In this way he's guarding the gospel against distortion. And this is crucial, as Satan seeks to deceive (2 Corinthians 11:14, "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light" ).
This involves clarifying truth, as the Spirit guides me, and defending it with love and humility (1 Peter 3:15). And sometimes I'm not very good at this self-control thing. Thankfully, humility comes into my heart and I know my limitations. If you ever wondered why I never went into Pastoral work (ministry), it's because I believe a Pastor is set aside for service with gifts that will help him to fulfill that purpose as a shepherd, and administrator. And among those gifts, as I see it, is a great love for the church, a heart of compassion, with a spirit of self-control. The Pastor is a shepherd who lays down his life for the congregation. He is not proud. He is not selfish. He is not looking to be a frontman but a leader. He should be a blessing to the congregation and not a curse. And I know that my passion for truth will not allow me to tolerate compromise. I've tried. I can't tolerate people mingling shallow theories and opinions with the truth. I've never been able to find peace with that. I will not sell the gospel short, and because of that I will not give Satan an inch in my teaching efforts. And there in lies the rub between me and the church. I cannot control my tongue in regard to the gospel. I will not become a diplomat, or a curator, in order to sedate a few who hold power over the church. I've had these run in's before and it never goes well with me. I do not have the right nature for it. And I know this and therefore separate myself from those positions for the sake of peace among the church.
And so, I've served Jesus Christ as a free agent. As a deacon, as a parachurch minister, and a faithful believer who loves and unleashes God's truth wherever He sends me.
2 Corinthians 4:5
"We do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord"
The Spirit’s gifts of exhortation and teaching (Ephesians 4:11, Romans 12:6-8) equips me to encourage and instruct others, breaking through Satan’s deception (2 Corinthians 4:4). My hunger for God’s Word as my sustenance echoes John 4:34, where Jesus says, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me." I'm not saying I'm equal to Jesus, but I understand what he says about this hunger. And because of this hunger I feel called to serve Jesus in this way, through a commitment to protecting truth against distortion (2 Corinthians 11:14, where Satan disguises himself as an angel of light) reflects the biblical call to "contend for the faith" (Jude 1:3) and "hold firm to the trustworthy word" (Titus 1:9).
Here's What I Know:
God’s ultimate plan is to reveal His glory and reconcile humanity to Himself through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10, "making known to us the mystery of his will…to unite all things in him" ). By proclaiming Christ, I want to help others see His divine identity, fulfilling God’s purpose to make Jesus known (Philippians 2:9-11). I know that teaching and exhortation counters Satan’s blinding influence (2 Corinthians 4:4), helping people recognize the "glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." In the past I've reflected on God’s prevenient grace and transformative power (e.g., my journey through Kairos Prison Ministry) and in this I've shared how our ministry points others to the grace that awakens faith, aligning with God’s desire to draw all people to Himself (John 12:32). I know that by praying for others and teaching others to pray for one another, I'm partnering with God to restore their ability to choose truth freely. And I know that my uncompromising commitment to truth and love for the clarification of the scriptures directly opposes Satan’s deceptions (2 Corinthians 11:14), fulfills God’s purpose to set captives free (Luke 4:18, quoting Isaiah 61:1). I know by clarifying the gospel, I can help others move from spiritual blindness to seeing Christ’s glory, enabling them to choose faith, as the disciples did in John 16:29-30. This aligns with God’s plan to liberate humanity from sin’s bondage (John 8:32, "the truth will set you free" ).
I love being a free agent who isn't bound by the biases of the corporate church. God equips each believer with specific gifts for His purpose. My life as a loner is his gift. I truly understand people like John the Baptist who also struggled with traditional pastoral roles. This aligns with biblical "free agents" like Philip, who shared the gospel flexibly (Acts 8:4-5, preaching in Samaria), or Paul, who adapted to various contexts (1 Corinthians 9:19-23) avoiding church politics.
Thats me, speaking truth boldly and unapologetically. And I know God has His purpose in mind in all of it. And I'm affirmed in this knowledge because I've seen His fruit come from it and I receive nor desire any personal benefit from it.
1 Corinthians 12:18
"God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose,"
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I come before You with a heart full of gratitude for Your light that shines in the darkness (2 Corinthians 4:6), revealing the glory of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for calling me as a free agent to proclaim and protect Your truth, unburdened by the biases of this world. Your Spirit has filled me with an insatiable hunger for Your Word, and I seek to share it boldly, as Jesus spoke plainly to His disciples. Lord, I ask that You use my ministry to break through Satan’s deception (2 Corinthians 4:4), opening blind eyes (Acts 26:18) and freeing those trapped in his snare (2 Timothy 2:26). Grant me wisdom to speak Your truth with clarity, love, and humility (1 Peter 3:15), never compromising the gospel or giving Satan an inch (2 Corinthians 11:14). Fill me with Your Spirit’s guidance (John 16:13), that my words and actions may point only to Christ’s lordship (2 Corinthians 4:5), not my own glory.
Use me wherever You send me, as Your vessel, to unleash Your truth unapologetically.
In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.