The Bible says Satan rules this world. The Bible says the world we live in is a wicked, evil world. How is it wicked? It is wicked in its actions and its conduct; it is wicked in its attitudes, values and outlooks. And conduct and actions follow values, attitudes and outlooks.
America. Christian America. That great country. We call it Christian. Homosexuality standing in high profile, with open support from the government. A country up to its ears in sin, lust and depravity. America a Christian nation? That is a real illusion.
God's ways of morality, decency, goodness, and righteousness -- where are they? America and the entire Christian western world all just confirm that Biblical teaching: Satan rules this world. And here in the West, at least, he really does seem to own everything --- lock, stock and barrel.
Modern 20th Century America. How are its attitudes, values and outlooks manifested? They are manifested in its music (rock music), its art (decadent modern art), its drama (Hollywood movies, TV), its literature (modern Realism).
The problem of this world lies in its heart, in its spirit. Its spirit is the spirit of its ruler, Satan. It is the spirit of rebellion against God, the spirit of disobedience.
The true Christian will always be one of a small minority, an outsider, a man on a lonely path, never a real part of the system. Quoting from the words of Christ: "If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but you are not of this world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." And we can find many quotations in the letters of the apostles to the same effect. For example, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." and "Ye adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
