Paul the
apostle continued to share with the Ephesian church members
concerning their blessings from God Almighty through Jesus Christ His
Son. He also declared how they had been “made alive” who were
once “dead in” their “trespasses and sins”. In
chapter two and verse two of his letter, Paul mentions their past
life and how they lived “according to the prince of the power of
the air” where we read:
Wherein in
time past you walked according to the course of this world, according
to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in
the children of disobedience:
The
verse begins, “Wherein in time past you walked according to the
course of this world,...” Paul began with the word, “Wherein”
which mean “in, by and with” “in time past” or
“formerly, aforetime and at some time” “you walked”
which means “made one's way, progressed and made due use of
opportunities” “according to” or “down from, through
out, toward and along” “the course” which refers to “the
unbroken age, perpetuity of time, period of time or age” “of
this world” or “the world affairs, goods, endowments, riches,
advantages and pleasures”. Paul referred to the Ephesians' “former”
lives when they lived as the ungodly “world” lives.
The
verse goes on to say, “...according to the prince of the power
of the air,...” Paul added, “according to” or “down
from, through out, toward and along” “the prince” which
means “a ruler, commander, chief and leader” “of the power”
or “ability or strength with which one is endued which he either
possesses or exercises” “of the air” which refers to
“the atmospheric region”. This “ruler, commander, chief and
leader” of the “power” of this “world” is
none other than Satan himself.
Finally
the verse says, “...the spirit that now works in the
children of disobedience:” Paul finished this verse with the
words, “the spirit” or “the essence, devoid of all or at
least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing,
desiring, deciding and acting” “that now works” which
means “at this present time and now to be operative, puts forth
power, aids and effects” “in the children” or
“descendants, one of posterity of any one” “of disobedience”
which means “obstinacy and opposition to the divine will”.
According to Paul, Satan is “the spirit” who does his work
in those who are non-believers in Jesus Christ and are therefore
called the “children of disobedience”.
When
we think through these words of Paul, we understand who is working
inside people who have not given their lives to Jesus. They refuse
God's way of salvation, and therefore act “according to”
the manner of the “world”. There is no substitute for
submission to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and if we do not
follow God's “one way” to be in a relationship with Him, we have
“disobeyed” Him and live like the world lives. Oh let us
understand, God Almighty has given us a way to avoid “the prince
of the power of the air”, and may we repent and change our ways
to follow after Him.
Next
time Paul shares more about our former way of living ,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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