… and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
Summary: Satan has been at work inciting disobedience since the very beginning of Creation. Jesus showed us a different way to respond to Satan. Paul explains how it works.
As if the “ways of this world” were not bad enough, there is another force at work in those of us who are disobedient. Paul describes this force as the “ruler of the kingdom of the air” and a “spirit.”
This brings to mind the Book of Job, where Satan tells the Lord where he spends his time:
“One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
(Job 1: 6-7)
Could it be that the spirit Paul mentions is the same one we read about in Job? It makes sense, doesn’t it? The “kingdom of the air” is the invisible realm surrounding earth. This spirit is also the one who inspires disobedience in people. Isn’t that Satan’s self-appointed job description?
Like the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), Satan is “at work in those who are disobedient.” We see him attempt to deceive Jesus when he is at his weakest, after forty days without food in the wilderness. In both cases, we see Satan as a master of twisting both words and logic.
God told Adam that if he ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he would die. Satan contradicts God with double-talk. He tells Eve “You will. Not certainly die…” (Genesis 3:4), and he was right. Adam and Eve did not die physically, but their relationship with God did.
When Jesus was tested in the wilderness, Satan came and played on his hunger and his pride. “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread,” he said (Matthew 4:3). Jesus responds, not with his own words, but with the written Word of God.
“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
Twice more, the devil attempted to entice Jesus into betraying God. Both times, Jesus responds with God’s Word. He did not sin by becoming angry. He did not even sin by passing judgment on Satan. Instead, he simply relied on the Word of God.
Later, in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Paul explains how Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness and how we can defeat him, too. Jesus stood firm in truth and righteousness. He did not engage in a war of words or power, but maintained his gospel of peace. His faith in God was unshaken, firm in his belief in salvation for himself and all mankind. His weapon, the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6: 10-17)
Application: Follow Jesus’ example.
Food for Thought: Why are we such an easy target for Satan before we accept Jesus as our savior?
An old phrase I learned a long time ago comes to mind: “You can’t get mad at a weasel for stealing eggs from your henhouse, that’s what weasels do.” It is their nature.
What is in the nature of mankind?
Sinful Pride – We seek self-indulgent gratification
Romans 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Incompleteness – Our hearts long for completeness
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Ignorance – Setting aside what we do not understand
1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Even these three things are at odds with each other. We refuse wisdom because of our pride, even though it would make us complete. We recognize wisdom, but choose to be ignorant so we can live like we want.
Why are we such an easy target for Satan before we accept Jesus as our savior?
It is like shooting fish in a barrel.
Target the insecurities of our incomplete heart, show us a little knowledge so we feel pride in our own life, rationalize our actions as justified so that we don’t recognize our sin.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Chris,
I hadn’t heard that saying about weasels. I like it!
I appreciate your thoughts on our human condition, too. You have laid out an excellent case for why we need Jesus in our lives and why we are such easy marks for Satan without Jesus to guide and protect us.
Thank you!
Well done Chris. I like your analysis.
Without the Holy Spirit indwelling us it leaves plenty of room for another’s influence. Without the Holy Spirit unbelievers are easy targets. After all, we are called to be self controlled and alert because our enemy is a predator feasting on the weak and isolated. We are called to resist him. The Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit are a protection – as is the word of God. Unbelievers are without this powerful ally. 1 Peter 5: 8 – 11.
Great verse, Rich!
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ” (1 Peter 5:8)
He is always looking for opportunities to drag people into the darkness. Remembering that is a good incentive to share God’s light with people.
03-28-2023, Why are we such an easy target for Satan before we accept Jesus as our savior?
Great Comments!
Do we Love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind and with all our strength? Do we Love our neighbor as ourself? Mark 12:30-31, if not, we remain an easy target for Satan.
We are imperfect beings seeking to serve our perfect God. Christ in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, given to us by God, to do what we are incapable of doing in our own power. “ LIVE IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS WILL OVER OUR OWN. “
We must know, Christianity is not a one time act of obedience as we recognize, turn from our flesh and receive salvation. Christianity is a way of life
“Our God has given our Bibles which are filled with examples of “HIS GODLY WORKS BEING DONE THROUGH HIS FAITHFUL FEW,” and examples of ungodly works being done by those influenced by satan. Even Moses received discipline for striking the rock.
The enemy will tell us, we must do the good works of God in our power, while in truth God is telling us, truly good works are the fruit of His working through His people. Exactly what Jesus teaches us.
John 15:5, John 14:6, John 6:28-29, Romans 8:6-11
In Romans 7:15-20, Paul writes of his experiences wrestling with sin in His life even as he allowed God to use him to record His words. We need to be prepared for a lifelong battle.
Thank you, Ron!
Christian preparedness is, in my opinion, a journey. A life-long journey of discovery. Getting to know our Lord is … amazing.
Absolutely 100% agree. It is a life long journey as we learn to walk in His steps.
Thank God for brothers and sisters who are willing to share God’s revelation’s with us all here on your blog!
Gos Bless Brother!
Ron