Ephesians 2:1-10 – “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 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, 3 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.

 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  NKJV

In our day, it is quite evident that there are two spirits at work – The Holy Spirit and the satanic spirit.  One of the best means of identifying the counterfeit is to recognize the genuine and the best way to know which spirit is in operation is to know the Holy Spirit as revealed in God’s word.  One significant manifestation of the satanic spirit is “The Spirit of Humanism”.  I am convinced that the satanic spirit produces at least three spirits that affect individuals, churches, communities and nations in a powerfully negative fashion.

• SPIRIT OF HUMANISM.

Have you ever been a religious corporate gathering where the presence of God was powerful and yet you could sense a current of “doubt” and “skepticism”?  I have and frequently could connect the dots to this spirit of which I speak.  The spirit of humanism has more impact on our lives than most would like to believe.

[Humanism Manifesto 1933] – – “We consider the religious forms and ideas of our fathers no longer adequate.  The quest for the good life is still the central task for mankind.  Man is, at last, becoming aware that he alone is responsible for the realization of the world of his dreams, that he has within himself the power for its achievements.  He must set intelligence and will to the task.”

Now consider the word of our text in verse two:  “Where in times past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience…” 

Before we gave our hearts to Christ and became Christians, we walked after the spirit of this world.  We were heavily influenced by the prince of the power of the air (Satan), whose fallen spirit seeks to mold the people of our day into his own image.  The Bible makes it clear that the devil’s major problem was SELF?   If you examine Isaiah 14:12-15 you will discover the “five” I will’s of the devil and easily realize how they fit in the expressed attitude of today.  There is the “Spirit of Self Will” where people have a desire and drive to live for self.  “What’s in it for me?”  Then there is the “Spirit of Independence” where people seek to be their own masters and accountable to no one.  Then we see the problem that is the product of this spirit “Ego” and “Self”.  Many want no roots, no commitment, and in many ways live isolated and detached lives.

Time prevents me from addressing the other spirits I wish to unveil so I will hit the pause button and open back up in the next devotional with more information for your consideration and examination.  Until then, God bless you and may you walk in the fullness of His blessings, power, and love!