The Innerworking of His Power – Part 3

The Working of the Prince of the Power of the Air

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” (Eph 2:1-2)

In the last two articles on this subject we focused on the “working” of God – His energeia in and through us. But there is another energeia at work. And it is the working on Satan, the prince of the power of the air. Paul took time in Ephesians to make us aware of his power and how it works. It is important for us to know how our enemy works. This is much in the same way that when an enemy plane is shot down for the first time it is reverse-engineered to reveal it’s secrets.

This working of Satan has a mode of operation. Remember from the first article we learned that the working of God’s power was through faith (and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe – Eph 1:19). The working of the enemy also works through something and that something is disobedience. “…the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.” Notice it doesn’t simply say those who sometimes disobey (we all do) but the sons of disobedience. We must guard ourselves that we so not become sons of disobedience.

Now, a few points on the “prince of the power of the air.”

First, as believers of Christ, risen with Him, we are positioned ABOVE the prince of the power of the air. We operate in a higher air space. “which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion…” (Eph 1:20-21a) and “and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” (Eph 2:6) We have been RAISED above the realm and reach of the prince of the power of the air.

Second, the power of the prince is coming to nothing.

“However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.” (1 Cor 2:6) The Greek word for “rulers” is the same word for prince Paul used in Ephesians and elsewhere. It is a common saying – even in Christian circles – that darkness is rising and things are growing worse by the day. But I agree with Paul that rulers of this age are coming to nothing. Light is increasing and darkness is retreating! Let’s not forget the promise about the rule of Jesus.

“Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isa 9:7)

In 2 Thessalonians 2 Paul talks gives a lot of attention to the powerful “working” of Satan. It now demands our attenton, especially for the time we now live in.

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work (energeō)…” (v.7) It should be no wonder when we see wickedness rising. It is lawlessness at work. And let’s not distracted by the people under the sway of its power. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but principalities and powers.

Paul has much more to say on this. “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working (energeia) of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong (energeia) delusion, that they should believe the lie.” (vv.9-11)

So, the working (energeia) of Satan can come with power, signs and wonders. We have to imagine that these miracles of evil power are targeted toward the church. This is why we must always be on our spiritual guard. But look at those who Satan targets in the church:

“among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth.” Oh Lord, give us a love for the truth that we may not perish!”

Paul end his statements about the working of Satan with a spiritual curveball. “And for this reason God will send them strong (energeia) delusion, that they should believe the lie.” (v.11) Here we see God sending the working of deception. But this is for those who chose comfort over truth. Let us never be in that camp.

In conclusion, we can rejoice with the confidence that we have been raised above the prince of the power of the air. We live at a higher place in the heavens. We recognize that Satan works through the sons of disobedience. God has graced us to obey His word. We agree with Paul that the rulers of this world are coming to nothing because light is overtaking darkness. Lastly, we recognize the working of the lawlessness is rising. We refuse to wrestle against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities. We are asking for a love of the truth to guard against the lying signs and wonders.