4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
The “veiled” mind of verse 3 was not due to the team’s preaching or methods. Instead, it had another source altogether.
4 whose minds [understanding] the god of this age [era] has blinded,
The “god of his age” is Satan. He is the “prince of this world (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) and “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2). Satan is a “god,” a limited one subject to Almighty God. He blinds the lost to understanding the gospel (2 Co 3:14). Satan dominates the “age” in which we live. However, he is not in complete control; that sovereignty belongs to God alone. Satan is not the God of the universe; he is a limited god of the era of fallen men. If people reject the light, they become victims of the darkness.
Satan is “god” of this age because he has dominion over those who do not believe. He is in the active business of blunting the gospel. As a god, he has the power to control people. He takes them captive to do his will (2 Ti 2:26). He influences them to do his will.
Satan reigns in influence on culture today. It is a day of his philosophy, values, and priorities. There are two choices: (1) to be enlightened by the gospel or (2) to be blinded by the values of the god of this world.
The devil runs the show down here. We should not sell his capacity short. He can deceive and misguide us. He wants us to think that the mind of man is all that we need, that humanism is ultimate. We can think only horizontally until we become Christians; only then can we think vertically (1 Co 2:14).
who do not believe,
Without the conviction of the Holy Spirit, unbelievers are blind to the gospel. Satanic blindness is not groundless, because unbelievers choose this condition along with satanic influence. Non-Christians are willing subjects of the devil’s marketing. This blindness could not happen without a negative attitude toward the gospel.
PRINCIPLE:
We now live in the era of Satan.
APPLICATION:
Satan is the “ruler of this age” or this present world (Jn 14:30). God allows him a limited dominion in the world (Eph 6:12). In this sphere, he has the power to deceive people so that they are blind to the gospel. However, Satan still operates under the sovereignty of God.
Satan veils the gospel to those who are lost. Jesus defeated him in principle once for all (He 2:14). God defeated Satan by the cross of Christ (Co 2:15). Non-Christians see no glory from the cross; they see it as defeat, shame, and dishonor.
By blinding the mind, Satan secured vassalage to himself as “the god of this era.” People have difficulty in escaping his lordship. Satan usurps power for himself.
