YOUTHS-RESIST THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD

Paul wrote: "It is you God made alive though you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you at one time walked according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience.  Yes, among them we all at one time conducted ourselves in harmony with the desires of the flesh, doing the things willed by the flesh and the thoughts, and we  were naturally children of wrath even as the rest." -Ephesians 2:1-3.

Before learning the Christian way, Christians in Ephesus had been unwitting followers of "the ruler of the authority of the air," Satan the Devil.  That "air is not some literal place where Satan and his demons dwell.  When Paul wrote these words, Satan the Devil and his demons still had access to heaven.  (Compare Job 1-6; Revelation 12:7-12) The word "air" means the spirit or mental attitude, that dominates Satan's world.  (Compare Revelation 16:17-21) Like the air around us, this spirit is everywhere.

But what is "the authority of the air"?  Evidently, this refers to the profound influence this "air" has on people.   Paul said that this spirit "operates in the sons of disobedience."  So the spirit  of disobedience and rebellion, and peer pressure is one way in which this authority is exercised.  "When you're in school," says a young Witness girl, "everyone's always encouraging you to be a little rebellious.  The kids respect you more  if you do something on the edge."

Next time: Manifestations of the World's Spirit

Watchtower, 1999