The World Belongs to Satan (1990s)

This week we discuss an Alice interview from the YouTube channel, DeonVsEarth: A normal Christian, on an ABNORMAL planet. The video, titled “Alice Cooper: The World Belongs To Satan,” was most likely recorded in the mid-90s and runs just under 6 minutes. However, it is packed full of insight and wisdom.

“The world doesn’t belong to us; it belongs to Satan. We’re living in that world every day. If you don’t have Christ in your life, you’re a victim to it.” – Alice Cooper

During this journey, it’s impressive to witness how much Alice has to say about faith and his journey with Christ, and he isn’t long-winded or condescending about it. Instead, he humbly defines what God’s Love and magnificence look like to those that choose to follow Christ.

Much like his other interviews, this one offers many nuggets and talking points. We will be looking at the following in this post: Experiences, Decisions, Being Different, Selfish Ambition, and Humility.

Experiences. 
During the interview, Alice talks about the experiences he’s been allowed to encounter in this life. Through those circumstances and events, Alice explains that nothing in this world is fulfilling.

No earthly position supplies us with lasting joy. Nothing quenches that inner thirst. Alice admits, this world leaves us “with a ‘God-shaped hole’ in our hearts.” However, what those experiences do provide us is a certain level of wisdom.

“Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.” – Ecclesiastes 7:12

Solomon’s wisdom and experiences on this earth were profound, yet as he notes in the above verse, such things are fleeting. They come and go with time, yet wisdom from above is eternal.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 speaks and relates to worldly knowledge and wisdom, but it goes further than that. The understanding of knowing and learning who our Lord is preserves us not only in this life – but also in the next. Deciding to follow Him leads to life everlasting.

Decisions. 
Alice also refers to a decision; we must make a choice. We must choose one side or the other. Which side do you serve?

If you’ve seen the movie The Matrix, you know what choosing the “red” pill or the “blue” pill means. It’s honestly that simple. You either accept it, or you don’t. Our decisions have consequences – good ones and bad ones.

“As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.” – Proverbs 26:11

Are your days recycled with the “same trash in, same trash out” scenarios? It’s foolish to continue making the same mistakes expecting something different to happen.

When we decide to follow Christ, we must accept and embrace Him and His Word wholeheartedly. It’s a decision that will not always make earthly sense and requires hope – hope and the acceptance of things we may never completely know or understand (Proverbs 3:5-6).

However, what becomes evident to others is the new creation we become. As we decide to place our life in His hands – reading and applying His Word as we pray – a shift in our character and our spirit takes place.

Our thoughts become displaced by those of His will and His nature. By deciding to serve Him, we have been given the ability to be different. Our focus is no longer solely placed on the things of this world (Philippians 4:8).

Being Different. 
Alice refers to the world as having an inaccurate perception of Christians. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you are cut off from the world entirely. God’s plan looks different according to His will for each individual’s life, and it just means we are unique.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

It’s not a self-righteous difference, but instead, a call to react differently. For instance, focusing on Christ and relying on His lead gives us the capacity to think with a renewed mind – one that automatically knows right from wrong and good from evil.

As the transformation from old to new takes place, the desires of our heart change as well. We find ourselves focused less on the flesh, our pride, and worldly matters – instead concentrating more on eternal desires and things that abide forever in Him and His Word (1 John 2:15-17).

What this boils down to is Love. Love for our fellow man/woman. Love for our neighbor. Love for all humanity. As we become different, our actions are no longer based on ourselves – but instead on Love – His Love (1 Corinthians 16:14).

Selfish Ambition. 
Alice talks about the difference between serving yourself and serving the Lord. There is arguably no more significant example of selfish ambition than that of Satan.

He believed himself to be above God Almighty, yet because he decided to challenge our Lord – he instead found himself cast out of Heaven and into Hell (Isaiah 14:12-15). What better example of the consequences of selfish action?

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:36-40

We were created to commune and fellowship with our Lord through His Spirit. He commands us to Love God and each other equally with the same enthusiasm that we do ourselves – this is the great equalizer.

We must learn to move, listen, and act together as one – as the body of Christ. Instead of relying only on oneself, His wisdom leads to harmony and an accurate depiction of His Word – a plan for all humanity focused on Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-12).

As Alice states in the interview, “this world belongs to Satan.” In contrast, by standing together equally with our Lord, we find power through Christ and God’s Word.

Philippians 2:3-4 reads, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” We are to walk humbly with Him, which leads us away from self-interest – focusing instead on serving others.

Humility. 
Alice ends the interview with a reminder about walking humbly in this life and with others.

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” – Romans 12:3

Notice the above verse not only addresses the way Christians should walk with one another – it addresses the way we are called to treat all humanity.

Many religious-minded folks see Christianity through the prism of dogmatic doctrines and creeds. They often take a pious, holier than thou stance concerning faith and theology.

However, that is the complete opposite of who and what we are called to be. Look no further than the words of Christ for understanding.

• The first shall be last – serving all (Mark 9:35).
• When you give to others, don’t expect adoration from others (Matthew 6:2).
• Welcome children and the least among you as more significant than yourself. (Luke 9:48).

Like Christ came to serve, not to be served – we must strive for the same (Mark 10:45). The list goes on. Humility is such an excellent place to end this interview with him.

Concluding this week with Alice, where have your experiences led you? Did you know God is glorified, not by our past experiences, but by who we become (through Him) despite our past?

Alice mentions there are certain things and songs that crossed the line. Songs and antics, he will no longer perform. In that aspect, omission brings glory to our Lord. That shows the world the new creation Alice has become through Christ.

His decisions today reflect who he’s grown to be through our Lord. He’s different. Alice has set aside himself. He is instead giving back to his community, family, friends, fans, and Lord. There’s so much to be learned from his experience.

Listen carefully to others’ experiences – seeing how our Lord reveals himself in so many different ways. Know that while the story is unique to each individual, His Love and acceptance are constant.

He wants all of His children to know and embrace Him. Reach out. Be Different. And let us humbly set aside who we are for the service of Him and His Creation – all humanity.​

That’s it for this week, catch you next Friday!

Until then, Happy Thanksgiving! Oh, and Keepin’ Walkin’ in Faith & Rockin’ With Alice!