1 John 5:19 19We know that we are from God and the whole world lies in the evil one.
The second assurance for readers to remember concerns who is in control. This verse offers us assurance of our source of existence and being. The two alternatives are clearly stated. The great battle for the human soul is between God and the evil one, referring to Satan. The battle in each person’s soul and conscience is magnified across the population to include the whole world. The evil one has limited power and cannot overcome God’s children because of Jesus (2:13, 14; 4:4). However, Satan has control of this fallen world because he has captured the hearts and minds of people who have given in to temptation and been deceived by and are lost in the darkness.
The news is full of stories of the spread of evil, especially in human actions. People may not be demon-possessed, but they are following the lead of their master, the evil one. They listen to the lies of the deceiver and often unknowingly follow the path of destruction. The path of righteousness leads to life. The entrance to this path requires trust, confession, and humility.
John is winding down his letter and restating his key ideas. One of these ideas is the assurance we can have that we are right with God and have eternal life. We can know this because we have put our trust in Christ’s salvation and have placed our lives at his disposal. He is our Lord and Master, and not the world and its master.