The Spiritual Warfare
Introduction to Spiritual Warfare
Wrestling Against Principalities and Powers
Description
Paul's exposition of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6 reveals the true nature of the Christian's conflict. Believers battle not against flesh and blood—human opponents—but against spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places. This warfare requires spiritual weapons; human strategies and natural strength prove utterly insufficient. The devil employs cunning schemes (methodeia) requiring constant vigilance and complete dependence upon God's provision. Only by putting on the whole armor of God can believers stand against such formidable opposition. The conflict is real, the enemy is powerful, but the victory is assured through Christ who has already triumphed over principalities and powers at the cross.
Key Verses
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.