On a global scale, evil seems to be winning out. That’s because we now get news of its triumphs instantly from every corner of the globe. Actually, evil’s always been able to run up the score. This is because power has not yet been taken from the evil one. You wonder why evil has not fully overtaken the world since it holds such power. It’s because the one true God left us here, and evil cannot touch us. Really!

18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:18-21

We may be still capable of sinning, but our new man is impervious to sin and unaffected by evil’s power. Therefore, we stand in Satan’s way, and we’re a formidable foe in his eyes. As such, God gives us the resilience to stand firm against his schemes, and the understanding to know his strategy and tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11). In the true God, we’re more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37)

But there is one thing. We are vulnerable when we’re sinning. That’s when we take our eyes off the true God, like Peter when he looked down at the waves. No wonder John ends his letter with a warning to us to guard against idols as if they’re storming the gates. These idols would be anything and everything Satan would send our way to, even momentarily, occupy our hearts.

I think of Paul’s mindset in the face of this onslaught.

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:5