Understanding Satan's Jurisdiction

 

  

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not..."

 II Corinthians 4:3, 4

People are often unaware that Satan has authority in this world. There is, however, a domain within which he has the right to exercise his power. This domain is known as Satan's kingdom and in his kingdom he has the right to enforce his power. Another way of expressing this truth is simply to say that Satan has a spiritual jurisdiction. He has a realm within which he has the right to enforce his will.

 It is crucial that believers recognize and define Satan's jurisdiction. In this way they can avoid the deceptive devices he uses against them. Knowing the boundaries of Satan's authority will keep believers from falling into the pitfalls and traps that he spreads before the feet of God's people.

Defining Satan's Kingdom

When Adam yielded himself to sin in the Garden of Eden, he transferred to Satan the jurisdiction which God had entrusted to man. Through Adam's fall Satan gained the right to operate upon this earth and gained legal authority over people. He established a kingdom and an operating system and took a place of spiritual jurisdiction in this world. He is the ruler of the kingdoms of this world, the ruler over demonic entities, and the ruler over those who have not been translated out from under his authority through the work of Christ.

 Jesus confirmed this reality on several occasions. In John 12:31 and in John 16:11 Jesus called Satan the "prince [or ruler] of this world." And in Matthew 12:26 Jesus clearly revealed that Satan has a kingdom by saying, "...if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand?"

Satan himself claimed jurisdiction and revealed how he came to possess it. In Luke 4:6 he told Jesus that the kingdoms of this world had been delivered to him and that, "...to whomsoever I will I give it."

The devil's kingdom is not the planet called earth, but rather the world, or this world system. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. But this world system, dominated by the powers of greed and lust, is Satan's domain. In II Corinthians 4:4 he is called, "...the god of this world..." This scripture is clear and strong. By calling Satan, "god", the Bible definitely signifies that he has authority. And by calling him the god of "this world" the Word of God clarifies that there is a particular realm in which he has authority.

We must define the extents and limitations of his right to operate. We must define what he has a legal right to do and what he does not have a legal right to do. We must clearly define his kingdom and mark the borders of his legal jurisdiction. How can we identify Satan's kingdom? How can we locate the boundaries of his jurisdiction?

Satan's kingdom cannot be defined by geographical boundaries or by any naturally visible borders. It can, however, be defined these two ways: First, by identifying those over whom he can legally exercise authority. Second, by defining the forces that govern the world system in which he is lord.

First, let's consider the boundaries of Satan's jurisdiction by asking the question, "Over whom can Satan exercise authority?" In the answer to this question we will see that Satan has different rights relative to demons, unbelievers, and believers.

Concerning demonic forces Satan has unlimited authority because they chose to obey him in the heavenly insurrection. Satan's right to use his authority extends over all the demons which fell with him from heaven. He is called the prince of the authority of the air [Ephesians 2:2]. The word "air" signifies that sphere in which the demonic forces operate [Vine's]. He is, then, the "archon" [greek], or ruler, of that sphere in which demonic forces operate. The New English Bible calls him, "the commander of the spiritual powers of the air..." Satan is chief of and has full authority over all demonic entities. The whole demonic kingdom falls under his jurisdiction.

Satan also has jurisdiction over some people. He has authority through the law of sin and death over all unsaved people. In Ephesians 2:2 he is called, "...the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." Those who are in rebellion to God, those not born again, are under Satan's jurisdiction and rulership. Ephesians 6:12 says that Satan is the, "ruler of the darkness of this world." Within this world system with its lust and darkness Satan is "god." He has authority and, therefore, power over the citizens that choose to inhabit the spiritual territory called "this world."

Satan's rights in respect to the unbeliever are almost limitless. He is the unbeliever's god and father and they are all legal subjects of his kingdom. He has the right to blind them and totally bind them up in his chains and fetters of sin and death.

Concerning the believer, however, Satan only has certain limited rights. These rights differ from his rights with unbelievers and with demons. Satan has the right to tempt, test and confront [Ephesians 6:13,16]. Satan has the right to attempt physical attack. Satan has the right to attempt to plant thoughts in our minds [John 13:2; Acts 5:3]. Satan has the right to roam about throughout the earth and attempt to devour [I Peter 5:8]. Satan has the right to attempt control and deception [I Timothy 4:1]. He can attempt to wield power and influence over us. He has the right to give the kingdoms of this world to whomsoever he will [Luke 4:6]. He has the right to accuse the brethren [Revelation 12:10]. Satan can also attempt to bring upon the believer other works of his kingdom. He can attempt to inflict sickness, fear, poverty, depression, lust, hate, greed, and division.

 The reason Satan has the right to attempt to inflict the believer in these various ways is because we share this planet with him. Note again, however, that Satan does not have the right to devour, only the right to attempt to devour. He can only challenge our authority in Christ. Any further rights Satan may have beyond the right to challenge are determined by the believer.

Satan's jurisdiction can also be defined by his limitations concerning the believer. Satan does not have the right to stay when resisted by the believer [James 4:7]. Satan does not have the right to make the believer sin [Romans 6:13]. He cannot tempt us beyond what we are able to resist [I Corinthians 10:13]. He does not have the right to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus [Romans 8:38-39]. And Satan cannot steal our salvation [John 10:28-29].

Over these three groups of beings—demons, unsaved individuals, and believers—Satan has certain rights to enforce his power.

 Secondly, Satan's kingdom can be recognized by the forces that operate within his sphere of influence. These forces include fear, strife, rebellion, disobedience, pride, and many other lusts. When an individual, saved or unsaved, is walking under the influence of these forces, they are surely walking in the devil's territory; well within his jurisdiction.

 

The boundaries of Satan's jurisdiction in this world system are also defined by time. In the account of the Gadarene demoniac, the demon in control asked Jesus the question, "...art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" [Matthew 8:29] Satan's duration of operation extends from the time of Adam's transgression until he is bound up during the millennial reign. After this one thousand year period he will be loosed and will have jurisdiction for another short period of time. Finally he will be judged and eternally bound and his jurisdiction will cease forever. Hallelujah! [See Revelation 20:1-10]

Satan's jurisdiction includes his control over demons, his deceptive power to blind the unsaved, and his right to attempt to enforce his power over the believer. Within this world system, over certain classes of persons, and for a specific length of time Satan can rightfully exercise his power. All these extents and limitations mark the borders of Satan's jurisdiction.

 

We Have Been Legally Delivered From Satan's Jurisdiction

 "Who hath delivered us from the power (authority) of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" Colossians 1:13

 As believers we have been delivered from the devil's authority. Colossians 1:13 declares, "Who (God) hath delivered us from the power ("exousia"—authority or jurisdiction) of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom (or jurisdiction) of His dear Son." In this scripture we again find that the Greek word "exousia" has been translated "power." But "exousia" means authority, or jurisdiction. Believers have been delivered out of the jurisdiction of darkness and translated into the jurisdiction of God!

Here in the midst of the reality of our redemption we find the law of spiritual jurisdiction. By the blood of Jesus and through His death, burial, and resurrection we have been translated out of Satan's kingdom into God's. We have been transferred out of the realm where the devil has legal authority and become citizens of God's domain.

 The word "translated" in Colossians 1:13 comes from two Greek words which mean "change" and "to stand." We were standing in the kingdom of darkness under Satan's authority, but our place of standing has changed. We have been brought out of his kingdom and have been made to stand strong and secure in God's kingdom!

 Remembering that the definition of jurisdiction is, "the range of authority" or "the boundaries within which authority can be exercised" we can see a fresh new picture of what Colossians 1:13 is teaching. We have been delivered out of the realm where Satan has authority into the region where Jesus is Lord! We have been transported out of Satan's range! In fact, you could translate this verse by saying that, "We have been translated out of the devil's jurisdiction into God's jurisdiction!"