OPINION (CP) – While Satan has “tremendous power” in this world, all of his power is subordinate to the authority that is vested in Christ. And he has no authority to do anything God does not permit for infinitely wise purposes, John Piper explains. In an episode of “Ask Pastor John” posted to Desiring God on Wednesday, a listener inquired about just how much authority Satan has in this world and how it relates to God’s complete sovereignty over all things.
Piper first explained that God, and not Satan, is the ultimate authority in the world. Yet, God considered it wise, as part of His curse on the world after the fall of Adam and Eve, to give Satan “a huge power” in this world. “But he doesn’t have the ultimate power,” he said. “We’re not dualists. We don’t think there are God and Satan duking it out for power in the universe. God is God, not Satan. Satan’s not God. All Satan’s power is by permission. He has no autonomy to do anything God does not permit for infinitely wise purposes.” READ MORE
