Amazing GraceSample

The Prince of the Power of the Air

You once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2, ESV).

God’s Word is very plain. Sin is a terrible thing. It is easy to minimise it, but even small sins are serious. The language used here may seem extreme. But this is because we tend to downplay the sinfulness of sin. We may think that plain everyday sins like envy, pride, bitterness, greed and hatred are not so bad. But it was these very offences that put Christ on the cross (Mark 7:20-23; 15:10). 

The apostle piles seven powerful images on top of one another in his attempt to detail the horrendous condition in which, without God’s grace, we live. Here are the first three:

The course of this world. The world runs its course—but the race must come to an end. No matter how permanent things seem to be, they will pass away. Jesus taught how foolish it is to lay up earthly treasure (Luke 12:13-21). Nothing is more certain than that we can take nothing with us when we die. 

The prince of the power of the air. Doubtless, this means Satan. Of course, popular thinking has no place for such a prince. He is the ruler of this age (John 12:31). He has a measure of power (literally authority) but only over ‘the air’, which is his domain. A better word might be ‘atmosphere’. The devil’s power was neutralised through the saving work of Christ (Rev 12:9-11), so he works through creating an environment of negativity and unbelief. Thankfully, his spirit is as vaporous as the wind and like the wind, it will vanish. This suggests how insubstantial is his kingdom. 

The sons of disobedience. Disobedience is satanic and it works out in disbelief and defiance, which go together. And such are the sons of humankind. So here we are in the 21st century with wars and uprisings and rebellions and street violence far too common. Disobedience still infects too much of society.

Of course, there are many who do live upright lives. This world is a wonderful place and there are blessings all around us. But by and large, whenever sin is put down in one place it emerges in another. Satan constantly changes his appearance so that people are deceived into thinking they are doing good when they continue to sin. He too easily bewitches us. As we shall see, amazing grace is the answer.

What next?

1. What do you think are three of the most dangerous Satanic deceptions in today’s world?

2. What do you think about the statement above that disbelief and defiance go together?

3. Read Eph 1:15-23. Choose one phrase of up to six words and claim it today for your life.