Eph 2:2-3
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, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
2:2 course of this world. See note on John 1:9. This refers to the world order, i.e., humanity’s values and standards apart from God and Christ. In 2 Cor. 10:4, 5, Paul refers to these ideologies that are like fortresses in which people are imprisoned, need to be set free, and brought captive to Christ and obedience to the truth.
the prince of the power of the air. Satan. Cf. John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor. 4:4.
John 1:9
9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
2 Cor. 10:4, 5
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
Recently I had a person reject me. He was rejecting me because I called him to a certain aspect of accountability under the umbrella of what I thought was a Christian relationship. He was going to leave the church and go and worship in a false religious system. How can any “brother” leave the place of the worship of Jesus Christ (although even the modern church has problems) and go and attend what is clearly a false religious system? I simply challenged the thought with a sermon series by John MacArthur and asked if he would just spent some time discussing it with me – if he wanted to. He then proceeded the attack. He is submitting himself to the values and standards apart from God and Jesus Christ. I suppose I am represent the Light in the situation and I was rejected. My obedience to what I know exposes the error of this kind of thinking just as 2 cor. 10:4-5 states. Paul said that he took the punches that were meant for Christ when he confronted error. I am ok with taking a punch for what is intended for Christ, even though it is painful and hurts.I am not seeking it – but sometimes they come. This means that I am walking at least in some ways as He would have. True faith is costly at times, just as Christ taught us. He said that if the world hated him, then they will truly hate you as well.