² You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.^[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

¹² For we^[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

³ All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

¹⁹ We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.

⁶ Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.

³¹ The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.

⁶ Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.^{[a] 7} You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.

⁴⁴ For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

¹¹ Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.