We were enslaved to the devil, we were disobedient— “you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" (Ephesians 2:2).
Our life was determined and shaped by the master of all evil, the supreme ruler of all the powers of wickedness. The world laughs at this. People don’t believe in the devil, but he dominates them and he persuades them to believe they are not enslaved, they are free. “The kingdom of the air” — can refer to either the earth’s atmosphere or to the realm of Satan’s authority or to the nature of these evil powers. They are supernatural spiritual beings ruled over by Satan (see Ephesians 6:12). “Those who are disobedient” — is a Hebraic form of expression used to describe the nature and essential character of unbelievers which is disobedience. All of this started in the Garden when Satan said to Eve if you eat of fruit of the tree, “You will not surely die”, Eve believed the lie and ate while Adam stood by looking on. Adam and Eve experienced immediate spiritual death as a result of their disobedience. Satan through his network of demonic associates influences the lives of all unbelievers, and seeks to influence believers. Believers are not fighting flesh and blood they are struggling against rulers, authorities, the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. One of Satan’s main tools for getting people to disobey God is getting them to believe lies. Satan is a liar and the father of all lies. Most Christians are looking for the easy life— no struggles, no problems, no pain, no disappointments, no strife, it’s a fantasy, a lie. Christians are in a spiritual battle whether they like it or not, its unavoidable.
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