To what extent is Satan the ruler of the world?
Satan gets a lot of credit in the world today as many things are directly attributed to him such as natural calamities and the support for this comes from the passage about Satan’s claim of authority during Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness;
Luke 4:6 (NKJV)
And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
It is difficult to know what kinds of physical things we can attribute to Satan. We could make the assumption that demons are capable of doing some physical damage (for example, they threw a boy in the fire again and again (Mark 9:22), caused some people to become blind (Mathew 12:22), dumb (Mathew 9:32), and deaf (Mark 9:25), etc.). This means that satan could have the capability of doing some of these things, so we should not limit his abilities in that sense.
But primarily satan exercises control over the physical world through ideologies. In most cases, Satan utilizes earthly systems to exercise his control (movies, music, corrupt governments, pornography).
Today’s earthly systems is just a reflection of Satan’s strategy, since it is becoming more chaotic and anti-God.
Ephesians 2:1-2 attributes Satan’s influence as the “prince of the power of the air.”
Ephesians 2:1-2 (NKJV)
1. And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2. in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
The word “world” (kosmos) does not refer to the physical creation but rather to the values and systems (ways of doing things). Paul here is inferring that the world is following the leadership and design of Satan, who is the “prince and power of the air.”
Satan currently rules this world, and he will continue to do so until the Lord casts him out (John 12:31).
At this present age, satan and his demons will continue to dominate, pressure and control every person who is unsaved. However, this doesn’t mean that all unsaved people are possessed by demons at all times, but that they are knowingly or unknowingly subjected to satanic influences.
Unbelievers in their spiritual dead state (Ephesians 2:1-2) share the same sinfulness and rebellion against God as Satan, so they are naturally susceptible to his influence and leading.
As a tactic, Satan would prefer to stay hidden and make you believe he does not exist or have any influence over you. This is something that made Jesus’ ministry interesting because He exposed satan.
When Jesus went to the synagogue, Satan was already there (in hiding) and nobody knew it. But when Jesus showed up, the demons (in the people) began screaming at Him. Their cover was blown because He knew they were there.
For the most part, demons today hide (although rural areas sometimes show obvious evidences of their presence).
While Satan exerts significant influence over the world’s systems, ideologies, and the unsaved, his power remains limited and subject to God’s sovereign control. He operates within boundaries established by God, as illustrated in the book of Job, and his strategies often rely on deception and subtlety rather than overt displays of power.
For believers, this underscores the importance of standing firm in God’s truth, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, and remembering that ultimate victory belongs to Christ. Though Satan seeks to manipulate and dominate, his reign is temporary, and his defeat is certain under God’s sovereign plan.