Ephesians 6:10-13:

Ephesians 6:10-13:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Richard T Ritenbaugh

Amos concentrates on social injustices like exploiting the poor and weak, perverting justice, abusing sexuality, encouraging addictions, and trampling the sacred. This indicates that such societal ills reveal the "heart of darkness" hidden by a façade of religiosity and prosperity, much as exists today in modern America. A society that reaches the point of adorning the façade rather than changing the heart is taking its last gasp.
This is the punishment Amos foresees for the corrupt in Israel:
Your wife shall be a harlot in the city; your sons and daughters shall fall by the sword; your land shall be divided by survey line; you shall die in a defiled land; and Israel shall surely be led away captive from his own land (Amos 7:17).
What a horrible end—but a just one in the eyes of God. It cannot be far off.
For us Christians who are spiritually counter-culture, we need to realize the rapidity of the decline and the probability that persecution will increase. People who know their hypocrisy will strike out at those who expose it by their very presence. To face the bleak future of this nation, we need to remain "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10), because our "might" will not suffice. This requires us to renew our relationship with God day by day (II Corinthians 4:16) and strengthen it by growth (John 15:8; II Peter 3:18). As Paul says, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (II Corinthians 4:17). --Richard T. Ritenbaugh; True Gospel; A Christian Nation? Reprise

Proverbs 20:18:
Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
I John 4:4:
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."
I John 5:4-5:
"Whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world--our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
Revelation 12:11:
"They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death."
James 4:7:
"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

Life in a sinful world does not provide times of peace and security, but of deadly conflict. It will not do to remain defenseless, and no armor that is defective or incomplete will carry the faithful through the battles of life. And what school for practice in all the measure of offense and defense is the contest for life or death with his skill in strategy entirely from the powerful and able leaders with whom he was forced to cope. The Christian, in the protracted and stubborn contest with the wiliest of all antagonists, cannot fail to make distinguished progress in spiritual; generalship, as well as to develop the qualities of a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Satan is the author of sabotaging what God created. What better tactic than to bring a dynamic that offers torment and fear rather than providing safety and love. While seeing this reality is difficult, we must understand that God wants to instigate a process of recovery—if only through the willingness of just one member. This doesn’t mean change will happen overnight. Furthermore, it isn’t a guarantee that the “perfect” version of a family will spring up in the near future. However, we can move toward His purposes as we become willing to clearly distinguish His plans from a counterfeit version, erected in its place, if that is applicable to our own experience. Furthermore, by using principles of recovery, the family can move toward the original plan (as God authored) through the power of grace. In order for this to occur, it’s important we begin to grasp the nature of this real war within the family system. We aren’t fighting against people, and we most certainly aren’t fighting God. As you recall, in the last chapter, we explored how the addict was captured by Satan’s system instead of God’s. Exactly what the family is coming against should be clear. Families aren’t fighting the addict, they are fighting the strategies and devices of the Enemy. The Bible highlights this reality: For we 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 (Ephesians 6:12). Our job isn’t to fix the system itself, but to understand how Satan devises ways to lure people into his operating system. The first way God intervenes is to offer us truth so we begin to shift our focus onto Him. Our willingness to yield to God’s perspective will set the course for all necessary change to begin.

We do not fight for victory; we fight from victory. As believers in Christ we are invincible. The Bible has given us numerous promises of victory over the power of the enemy.

Stephen Mitchell Files

Personally and pastorally, I believe increasing efforts to marry Christianity with partisan politics is the greatest danger and threat to the Gospel and the church in our society. It strikes at the very core of what it means to be an evangelical Christian. Are evangelicals known today in America for who they believe in and what they believe or for what politics they tend to support? Are we as passionate in talking about Jesus as we seem to be in talking about politics?
Voting a certain way or adhering to a left-leaning or right-leaning political philosophy is not the litmus test that the Bible gives for what it means to be a Christian. And yet these things are tempting the church in America to be focused more on the temporal, and less on the eternal. The biblical truth is that evangelical Christians should not be regarded as just another special interest group that can be bought but rather, we should be known as the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5:13,16). Christianity is not right-wing or left-wing. It goes beyond the political and ideological tribes which demand that we adhere and pledge unquestioned loyalty. Aspects of God’s word will step on the toes of liberals and aspects of God’s word will step on the toes of conservatives. The left-wing attempts to conform Jesus to its image, and the right-wing attempts to conform Jesus to its image, but if we truly follow Him, He will be conforming us to His image.
Any marriage between the cause of Christ and political power throughout church history has always led to corruption and compromise. The stakes are too high to forget who our real enemy is. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12). The opportunity to stick out and speak up for Jesus is too great to pass up. God is not looking for us to be partisans but rather prophets in the times in which we live, to speak biblical truth in love. To remember that our identity is ultimately not in who we vote for, or what political party affiliation we have but rather that we are, "Ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20). And we are commissioned to make that appeal to liberals and conservatives, Democrats, and Republicans.
--Stephen Mitchell; Christian Post; The greatest threat to Christianity in America 9/28/22

Chip Ingram Files

If we were to dig into the meaning of power, we would find that it is the Greek word from which we get dynamite. This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and now dwells in us....We need to allow God to develop our lives in such a way that the power made available to us in our new relationship with him gives us the strength to win........We can't blame all difficulties on hostile acts of the enemy. We live in a fallen world, and bad things happen. Not everything occurs because of demonic schemes. But everything can be exploited by demonic forces. As CS Lewis said, the danger is to put either way too much emphasis on Satan and demons or way to little. For most people today, it's way too little. --Chip Ingram; The Invisible War; (c)2006

David Wilerson

Satan is succeeding through television in a way not possible by any other kind of demonic invasion. Through that speaking idol, he can accomplish in this generation what he accomplished in Eden...But the sodomites are in now --in our homes. And we are now blinded ones. Homosexual writers, actors, and producers flaunt their evil right before our eyes; and admit it or not, you and all your home are under the demonic sodomite attack."
--David Wilkerson; Set Thy Trumpet to Thy Mouth; 1985

Thomas Cosmades Files

"Anyone who witnesses to the grace of God revealed in Christ is undertaking direct assault against Satan's dominion."
--Thomas Cosmades

Unlike the Evangelicals who use politicians and parties as their weapon of choice, the battle we face is not a physical one. The battle is in the spirit because we are fighting against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age and the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. American evangelicals who use politics as a method of battle will have no lasting impact on anything. And God will not share his glory with any politician or political movement. As Satan was crouching at Cains door, desiring to have him, so he crouches at our door.
“If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”. Gen 4:7)
In non-Christians the enemy and his forces will attempt to thwart salvation (Luke 8:11-12) and encourage sin (Ephesians 2:1-3).
In Christians demonic forces will attempt to sever our connection with God, prey on our natural inclination to sin, and deceive us into believing untruths that might hinder our discipleship or cause us to lose our effectiveness for God’s kingdom.
Their primary tools for this opposition are lies (Genesis 3:1; John 8:44) and temptations (Matthew 4:1-11). And the Father of Lies can be very persuasive if people are unawares. Stick with God and He will

"rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts." Malachi 3:11

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Besides II Corinthians 10, there are other verses that also mention this idea. Then remember the story of Job… Satan came before God’s throne and discussed Job with Him, so it seems Satan is in the heavenlies. And the principles taught in the book of Daniel also confirm this. As Daniel was fasting and praying, an intense battle was raging in the spiritual realm. (Daniel chapter 10) The “prince of the Persian kingdom’ resisted and fought the angel for 21 days that was bringing the answer down to Daniel’s prayers. This “prince” was not a human ruler but a demon from Satan’s kingdom. He was defeated only when another angel was sent to help in this battle. God sent the answer to Daniel the first day but the answer was delayed by satanic forces. This incident gives us a glimpse of the unseen battles going on in the spiritual realm. It also encourages us for our need to persevere and not give up in prayer.

The word “withstand” has a very powerful meaning when looked at in the Greek. The Greek word for "withstand" used here is anthistemi (anth-is-tay-mee). It means to stand against. This word is a verb and it suggests vigorously opposing, bravely resisting, standing your ground, or standing face-to-face against an adversary.
Satan is good at “photoshopping” reality. He makes it into something it isn’t. Satan can’t change the truth no more than I can change the color of the sky, but he can lie about it and do it convincingly and make us question.

We must distinguish the serpent from his prey. This is why we seek to convert our opponents, not own or destroy them. We seek their rescue, not their ruin. As we’ve seen, “winsomeness” is not a strategy for cultural engagement, as if we could win cultural arguments simply by being “nice,” but lest we forget, we are deeply invested in winning over our opponents. As Augustine taught, we stand against the world for the good of the world.
The challenge for culture engagers is that we downplay the against—we become so focused on working for the good of the world that we adopt a conciliatory, affirmative posture that never runs into a hard line of antithesis, and thus we avoid any adversarial stance toward the world. The challenge for culture warriors is that we get so wrapped up in the drama of standing against what’s wrong that we are seized by contempt and resentment, and we forget who we are fighting for. In the Scriptural imagination, our fight is for our opponents, or at very least, for the people who will be harmed by what our opponents propose. Culture engagers can easily neglect the reality of the spiritual warfare and eternal stakes. But culture warriors can lose sight of that spiritual battlefield, just in a different way—by reducing the cosmic picture of powers and principalities to temporary, earthly policies and positions (and the people who hold them). Jesus is clear: even if our neighbors become our enemies, we are to love our enemies, pray for them, and do good to them. This is the Christian way. Contempt must be killed. -Trevin Wax: Gospel Coalition

While this passage doesn't explicitly spell out the goal of these demonic schemes, I think we can understand them from Paul's emphasis on our goal in this battle. Notice that even though Paul is painting a picture of what some have called spiritual warfare, there is nothing overtly and tactically offensive about his encouragements in this passage. We are not called to 'advance'. We are not called to 'take the hill'. We are not called to send in saboteurs. We are not called to push back the frontline or take spiritual prisoners or cut off supply lines.
What are we called to do? Three times in four verses Paul is crystal clear: (v. 11) “stand against the schemes of the devil”, (v. 13) “...take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand (or stand in opposition) in the evil day... having done all, to stand firm.” And again in verse 14: “Stand therefore...” While some in recent times have developed fanciful versions of spiritual warfare that involve imaginative demonologies, systems that often have more in common with occultism than the Bible, the word of God itself reminds us that true spiritual warfare is first and foremost about 'standing our ground' in the gospel (the Good News of Jesus).
Consider this example from the same letter. Look back at 4:26–27...”Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” How is the devil scheming in this scenario? He is looking to gain a foothold through unresolved anger in the body of Christ. The context in chapter 4 makes it clear that Paul is talking there about our life together as God's people. And our life together should be grounded in “the gospel of peace”. Drop down a few verses where Paul writes in 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
What is the devil's goal? How are these “spiritual forces of evil” attacking us? By seeking to move us away from the gospel... the very thing that unites us. They seek to use things like unresolved anger to keep us focused on ourselves and divided within the church. This also applies to our lives as the church scattered. -Bryce Morgan; Way of Grace Church

I know some people carry the "spiritual warfare" concept too far; thinking that every flat tire comes from the flat-tire demon or every burned steak comes from the too-phot-barbecue demon. Or like the woman who showed up late for work, never did a very good job, and then blamed evil spirits when she got fired., many people use spiritual; warfare as an excuse to avoid personal responsibility. - Chip Ingram; The Invisible War

Paul is telling us something intrinsic to our Christianity in these verses. We must first be secure and solid in the truth of God’s word. Tie it to yourself in many ways, reading it, speaking it, confessing it, praying it. Apply it daily. In the truth of God’s word all our weapons will hang. They must be in place and ready to use at a moment’s notice. -Discipleship Training Ministries

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve theirt exsistence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." --CS Lewis

A Warrior's Prayer With the Armor of GodHeavenly Father, Your warrior prepares for battle. Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!
I put on the Girdle of Truth! May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan’s lies.
I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness! May it guard my heart from evil so I will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the Shoes of Peace! May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so Your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.
I take the Shield of Faith! May I discern Satan’s fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
I put on the Helmet of Salvation! May I keep my mind focused on You so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.
I take the Sword of the Spirit! May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.

“Of all the worldly powers, death is the most obvious, but death is not the greatest power active in the world. Death is not the last word. Nor is the last word some nebulous, fanciful, fake promise of an after life. If you have been told or taught anything such as that in church, what you have heard is heresy. The last word is not death, nor life after death; the last word is the same as the first word, and that word is Jesus Christ. He has, holds, and exercises power even over death in this world. And his promise is that a person may be set free from bondage to death in this life here and now.” --Stringfellow, Instead of Death, 22

All institutions, all ideologies, all images, all movements, all causes, all corporations, all bureaucracies, all traditions, all methods and routines, all conglomerates, all races, all nations, all idols. Thus, the Pentagon or the Ford Motor Company or Harvard University or the Hudson Institute or Consolidated Edison or the Diners Club or the Olympics or the Methodist Church or the Teamsters Union are all principalities. So are capitalism, Maoism, humanism, Mormonism, astrology, the Puritan work ethic, science and scientism, white supremacy, patriotism plus many, many more – sports, sex, any profession or discipline, technology, money, the family – beyond any prospect of full enumeration. The principalities and powers are legion --William Stringfellow, An Ethic for Christians and Other Aliens in a Strange Land (Waco: Word Books, 1973), 78. 40 See William Stringfellow

“For about the space of a month … a very great storm came down upon me, which handled me twenty times worse than all I had met with before; it came stealing upon me, now by one piece, then by another; first, all my comfort was taken from me, then darkness seized upon me, after which, whole floods of blasphemies, both against God, Christ, and the Scriptures, were poured upon my spirit, to my great confusion and astonishment. These blasphemous thoughts were such as also stirred up questions in me, against the very being of God, and of his only beloved Son; as, whether there were, in truth, a God, or Christ, or no? and whether the holy Scriptures were not rather a fable, and cunning story, than the holy and pure Word of God?
The tempter would also much assault me with this, how can you tell but that the [Muslims] had as good Scriptures to prove their [Mohammed] the Saviour, as we have to prove our Jesus is? And, could I think, that so many ten thousands, in so many countries and kingdoms, should be without the knowledge of the right way to heaven; if there were indeed spiritual warfare a heaven, and that we only, who live in a corner of the earth, should alone be blessed therewith? Every one … [thinks] his own religion [right], both Jews and [Muslims], and Pagans! and [what] if all our faith, and Christ, and Scriptures, should be [the same thing] too?
Sometimes I have endeavoured to argue against these suggestions, and to set some of the sentences of blessed Paul against them; but, alas! I quickly felt, when I [did this], such arguings as these would return again upon me, though we made so great a matter of Paul, and of his words, [how do I know that Paul himself was not a deceiver and out to destroy his fellow men?]
These suggestions, with many other which at this time I may not, nor dare not utter, neither by word nor pen, did make such a seizure upon my spirit, and did so [overwhelm] my heart, both with their number, continuance, and fiery force, that I felt as if there were nothing else but these from morning to night within me; and as though, indeed, there could be room for nothing else; and also concluded, that God had, in very wrath to my soul, given me up unto them, to be carried away with them, as with a mighty whirlwind.
Only by the distaste that they gave unto my spirit, I felt there was something in me, that refused to embrace them. But this consideration I then only had, when God [gave me brief moments of relief], otherwise the noise, and strength, and force of these temptations, would drown and overflow; and as it were bury all such thoughts or the remembrance of any such thing. While I was in this temptation, I should often find my mind suddenly put upon it, to curse and swear, or to speak some grievous thing against God, or Christ his Son, and of the Scriptures.
Now I thought, surely I am possessed of the devil; at other times again, I thought I should be bereft of my wits; for instead of [praising] and magnifying God the Lord with others, if I have but heard him spoken of, presently some most horrible blasphemous thought or other would bolt out of my heart against him; so that whether I did think that God was, or again did think there were no such thing; no love, nor peace, nor gracious disposition could I feel within me.
These things did sink me into very deep despair; for I concluded, that such things could not possibly be found amongst them that loved God. I often, when these temptations have been with force upon me, did compare myself in the case of such a child, whom some [abductor had by force taken up and carried from family], friend and country; kick sometimes I did, and also scream and cry; but yet I was as bound in the wings of the temptation, and the wind would carry me away. I thought also of Saul, and of the evil spirit that did possess him; and did greatly fear that my condition was the same with that of his (1 Samuel 16:14).
In these days, when I have heard others talk of what was the sin against the Holy Ghost, then would the tempter so provoke me to desire to sin that sin, that I was as if I could not, must not, neither should be quiet until I had committed that; now, no sin would serve but that; if it were to be committed by speaking of such a word, then I have been as if my mouth would have spoken that word, whether I would or [not]; and in so strong a measure was this temptation upon me, that often I have been ready to [clasp] my hand under my chin, to hold my mouth from opening; and to that end also I have had thoughts at other times, to leap with my head downward, into some … hole …to keep my mouth from speaking.” --John Bunyan; Grace Abounding

The Christian mind can also be thought of as a security system, or more specifically, as a perimeter defense. When we have well-informed and well-trained intellect, we are in a better position for defense in spiritual warfare. As Paul says, our spiritual battle is not against “flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:12), and “though we walk in the flesh,” he says, “we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” (1 Cor. 10:3-4). The mind is the foremost field of battle in spiritual warfare.
Paul goes on to explain, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” (2 Cor. 10:3-5, ESV). When we have a fit and well-informed mind, we have a better security system in place to help protect the things we hold dear inside. Paul wasn’t kidding when he was talking about “demolishing argument” and “taking ideas captive.” When we have a strong Christian mind, we can deflect many of the enemies attacks, and capture bad ideas for interrogation. -Intelligent Christin Faith

All of us deal with the Powers That Be. They staff our hospitals, run City Hall, sit around tables in corporate boardrooms, collect our taxes, and head our families. But the Powers That Be are more than just the people who run things. They are the systems themselves, the institutions and structures that weave society into an intricate fabric of power and relationships. These Powers surround us on every side. They are necessary. They are useful. We could do nothing without them. Who wants to do without timely mail delivery or well-maintained roads? But the Powers are also the source of unmitigated evils. A corporation routinely dumps known carcinogens into a river that is the source of drinking water for towns downstream. Another industry attempts to hook children into addiction to cigarettes despite evidence that a third of them will die prematurely from smoking-related illnesses. A dictator wages war against his own citizens in order to maintain his grasp on power. A contractor pays off a building inspector so he can violate code and put up a shoddy and possibly unsafe structure. A power plant exposes its employees to radioactive poisoning; the employee who attempts to document these safety infractions is forced off the road by another car and dies. All her documents are missing. Welcome to the world of the Powers. But the Powers aren’t always that brutal. Some people enjoy their jobs. Some businesses make genuine contributions to society. Some products are life enhancing, even lifesaving. The Powers don’t simply do evil. They also do good. Often they do both good and evil at the same time. They form a complex web that we can neither ignore nor escape.
---Walter Wink, The Powers that Be: Theology for a New Millennium (New York: Doubleday, 1988), 1–2

Based on my studies and on numerous modern translations, I believe that first verse might more accurately read this way: “For our wrestling match is not against persons with bodies.” That is very vivid. In other words, we are not wrestling against human beings. Your mother-in-law is not the problem, nor even some dictator like Stalin or Hitler. Our wrestling match is not against persons with bodies, but against rulers with realms of authority, against the world dominators of this present darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavens. -Derek Prince

Rom 13:12 (NIV) The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Jer 46:3-4 (NIV) "Prepare your shields, both large and small, and march out for battle! Harness the horses, mount the steeds! Take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears, put on your armour!"
1 Cor 14:8 (GLT) For if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will get himself ready for war?

Walter Wink Files

"The victory of faith over the Powers lies, not in immunity to their wrath, but in emancipation from their delusions."
--Walter Wink; Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination (1992)

Walter Wink Files

One does not become free from the Powers by defeating them in a frontal attack. Rather, one dies to their control. Here … the cross is the model: we are liberated, not by striking back at what enslaves us – for even striking back reveals that we are still determined by its violent ethos – but by dying out from under its jurisdiction and command.
--Walter Wink; Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination (1992)

Now, we have to be careful with this armor imagery not to get bogged down in minutiae, that is, in how each piece of armor works in light of the comparisons presented here. The main point is the very point emphasized in the very first verse of this passage, verse 10: “...be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” There's our armor! That's our protection! It's what Paul called in 1:19 “the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe”. You see, to “put on the whole armor of God” is not a magical or mystical practice that results in supernatural protection. It is a 'gospel practice' that rehearses and is reassured by the supernatural protection we already have in Jesus.

Sin, which is disobedience to God, has infected a realm beyond the naked eye. Spiritual beings, which the Lord created to give Him glory, have mutinied and promote their own kingdoms. In his letter to the Ephesian church, the biblical writer Paul wrote about this truth. He said, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12). Behind much of the pain, chaos, and confusion we encounter are agents in opposition to the Lord.
In Scripture, we see the theme of spiritual warfare, which conveys that believers are in a battle against unseen agents. Our battles with evil echo the greater war between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God. This war reached its culmination when Jesus Christ accomplished salvation. During His ministry, Jesus rescued His people from demonic influence. In His death and resurrection, Jesus removed evil from its throne and established His supremacy. For we who trust in Christ, darkness is defeated. But the battles wage on until Jesus returns to totally cast the unseen into oblivion. For now, evil persists in its delusion, trying to tempt us away from the Lord and trying to thwart God’s unstoppable plan of restoration. -Kyra Daniels; Daily Grace Blog

Notice that Paul wastes no time in identifying our common enemy on this battlefield. Verse 11: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” But he doesn't stop there. In verse 12, he provides us with a rich description of an entire movement or system or complex of evil that is working to extend “this present darkness” of “evil”. We read about “rulers”, about “authorities”, about “powers”, about “spiritual forces”.

Now it's important to grasp both the emphasis and contrast here: there is clearly an emphasis on the very real power of our opponents. But we also see Paul presenting a clear contrast between, on one hand, “flesh and blood” opposition, and on the other hand, those “cosmic” and “spiritual” enemies “in the heavenly places”. Why this emphasis? Why this contrast? Because our tendency, even as Christians, is to focus on our everyday circumstances and our everyday obstacles and our everyday antagonists, and in so doing, miss the fact that larger forces are at work, behind the scenes.

The devil may be a mysterious, spiritual being, but he is not indifferent toward us. He is not indifferent toward you personally. He is scheming (v. 11). And he is not alone in carrying out these schemes. He has a network of evil, one embedded deeply in the power structures of this world. That's why words like “rulers... authorities... [and] powers” are also used in the New Testament to talk about human governments (cf. Romans 13:1; Titus 3:1). So what is the goal of the devil's schemes? -Bryce Morgan; Way of Grace Church

All institutions, all ideologies, all images, all movements, all causes, all corporations, all bureaucracies, all traditions, all methods and routines, all conglomerates, all races, all nations, all idols. Thus, the Pentagon or the Ford Motor Company or Harvard University or the Hudson Institute or Consolidated Edison or the Diners Club or the Olympics or the Methodist Church or the Teamsters Union are all principalities. So are capitalism, Maoism, humanism, Mormonism, astrology, the Puritan work ethic, science and scientism, white supremacy, patriotism plus many, many more – sports, sex, any profession or discipline, technology, money, the family – beyond any prospect of full enumeration. The principalities and powers are legion
--William Stringfellow, An Ethic for Christians and Other Aliens in a Strange Land

Loneliness is the specific apprehension of a person of his or her own death in relation to the impending death of all persons and all things. Loneliness is the experience in which the fear of one’s own personal death coincides with one’s fright of the death of everyone and everything else. Loneliness is not a unique or an isolated experience; on the contrary, it is the ordinary but still overwhelming anxiety that all relationships are lost. Loneliness does not deny or negate the existence of lives other than the life of the one who is lonely, but loneliness so vividly anticipates the death of such other lives that they are of no sustenance or comfort to the life and being of the one who suffers loneliness.
--William Stringfellow: Stringfellow, An Ethic for Christians

Jan 26, 2022: Church of the Pentecost: Be Fully Dressed In God’s Armour – Apostle Danzerl Advises Christians
Speaking on the topic: “Mobilizing Squads for Effective Impact in the World,” with references from Ephesians 6:10-18, Apostle Danzerl encouraged the clergy and Christians not to be afraid, saying that, “although the church on earth is known as the church militant because of the constant warfare it is engaged in, those who stand till the end will join the church triumphant.”

Ephesians 6:12–13:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Martin Luther Files

“So when the Devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where he is there I shall be also!”
--Martin Luther

“These forces are identical throughout the world; they are common to all civilization; they are independent of human will; they have a reality not easily separable from their temporary form.
Are they demons in the most elemental and traditional sense? Are they less precise powers (thrones and dominions) which still have an existence, reality, and, as one might say, objectivity of their own? Or do we simply have a disposition of [human beings] which constitutes this or that human factor a power by exalting it as such?
-Jacques Ellul

Prayer is a battle, however, and learning how to combat the spiritual warfare is key. “One way we rise above the attacks is we plan for success and we guard that time. Good things will come up in that time that will take us away, but we put God first (Matthew 6:33), remembering we don’t fight against flesh and blood but against principalities (Ephesians 6:12).” There is a cost to interceding for others because the enemy does not want God’s will done on earth. It is having knowledge of the battle, recognizing that issues and trials may arise solely because the enemy wants you to stop praying for others. God hears your prayers and an increase in spiritual warfare is an indication that you are a powerful front. It is the call to count the cost (Luke 14:25-28) while appreciating the blessing that comes with it. The women simply continue to build spiritual muscles as they learn how to cope through the trials while continuing in ministry. Marianne, herself, has faced various hardships through the years as she interceded for others, but the group gracefully ministered to her and prayed her through. It is nice having people surrounding you as family, praying you through what the enemy wants to subdue you with. -Harvest

In the Greek language, the phrase “we do not wrestle” refers to hand-to-hand combat. The picture is of 2 Olympians swaying back and forth, locked in mortal combat, covered in dirt, blood, sweat, and tears. In ancient Greek wrestling, they were allowed to gouge their opponent’s eye; so often the losers’ eyes were put out. This is the kind of spiritual fight each of us faces every day; it is personal, up-close, and brutal.
Whether we realize it or not, we are locked everyday in a personal battle with the forces of darkness, as the enemy tries to get a new hold on us. We should expect him to attack us again today in some weak area, pushing us toward pride, anger, lust, drunkenness, or just simply away from being others-centered. Paul reminds us that since our struggle is supernatural, our weapons also must be. It is only when we stand fully clothed in the armor of God, that we will be able to hold our ground against our adversary. -Pastor Ed Rea

Sometimes, as Christians, we allow western thinking to affect our spiritual practices by attributing everything that happens in our lives to a natural cause and effect. The western worldview emphasizes that the only real things are what can be known or experienced through our five senses—hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and touching.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are those who want to blame every bad thing on demonic activity, often to the neglect of taking any personal responsibility for their own choices or actions.
Giving in to either of these ways of thinking will cause failure and defeat. While it is true that some individuals can get absolutely strange in how they approach spiritual warfare, we should not fall into the trap of mocking biblical precedents, like the one given in Ephesian 6:12.
There are times when every possible solution available in the natural will not change the outcome of a situation because our wrestling is not only with the physical realm, but also the unseen, spiritual realm.
For this reason, we are admonished in scripture to take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand the wiles of the devil (Eph. 6:13). The word wiles means methods or strategies. While some will try to minimize Satan’s power, I believe this is a big mistake. Never underestimate the power of the enemy. Of course, we should also never give in to fear, but instead, we need to equip ourselves with the knowledge of God’s word and know that the greater One lives inside of us. We have been given weapons of warfare that we must use against the strategic plans the enemy has to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). -Generals Information

Walter Wink argues in Naming the Powers that the language of “Principalities and Powers” in the New Testament refers to human social dynamics—institutions, belief systems, traditions and the like. These dynamics, or what he calls “manifestations of power,” always have an inner and an outer aspect. “Every Power tends to have a visible pole, an outer form—be it a church, a nation, an economy—and an invisible pole, an inner spirit or driving force that animates, legitimates, and regulates its physical manifestation in the world. Neither pole is the cause of the other. Both come into existence together and cease to exist together.” -Open Democracy

So your victory may look like your willingness to continue believing in a salvation that the world tells you is ridiculous.
When it comes to using prayer as a weapon of spiritual warfare, victory is fundamentally about trust. Do you believe that your battles are His battles? Do you trust that when you bring a heartfelt need to God, He hears you and will respond?
The Bible says the Lord will fight for you and that Jesus has already won the ultimate victory by defeating death on your behalf on the cross. His resurrection was the declaration of victory in the war to end all wars.
But until Jesus returns or calls you home to heaven, spiritual warfare will remain a reality in your life. God wants you to experience a sense of victory in the battles you face. Prayer is His chosen means of offering that to you. That’s why it is often said that victory in this conflict is won on your knees. -Ross McCall

God has chosen intercession as the primary means in which He releases His power now and forever. Jesus operated in the principle of intercession when He created the earth by speaking the Word to the Father (Genesis 1). He releases His power now and will rule the nations forever in partnership with His people through intercession.

Intercession causes us to internalize God’s Word and changes us.
Intercession unites our heart to people and places we pray for.
Intercession renews our hope and faith.
Intercession imparts life (John 6:63).
Intercession makes a long-term impact beyond this age (Rev. 5:8, 8:1-6).
Intercession humbles us.
Intercession changes the spiritual atmosphere of cities and nations.
Intercession causes multiple blessings to return to the intercessor (Luke 6:38).

(Excerpt from The Revelation of Intercession by Debbie Przybylski)

“If we as helpers and fellow laborers with the Lord Jesus, are to share His power of intercession, there will need to be with us as well the travail of soul that there was with Him, the giving up of our lives and their pleasures for the one supreme work of interceding for our fellow men. Intercession must not be a passing interest. It must become an ever-growing object of intense desire for which, above everything, we long and live. It is the life of consecration and self-sacrifice that will indeed give power for intercession.”
- Andrew Murray

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” — 2 Corinthians 4:4, NIV.........For everything in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — comes not from the Father but from the world.
(1 John 2:16, New International Version)