Spiritual Warfare Part 2
This is the continuation of our subject on Spiritual Warfare. Last week, we discussed part one, and today we are moving into part two.
As we previously established, Spiritual Warfare is the act of waging war against evil forces through the power of God. It is real and ongoing around us. We also addressed the three various realms that exist and the necessity of engaging these forces through prayer.
Before we proceed, I would like you to understand that Satan’s kingdom is well-organized and operates in hierarchies, much like the kingdom of God. Ephesians 6:12 makes it clear that we are wrestling against a well-organized kingdom: “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.”
These are spiritual levels within the spiritual world. Satan has copied everything God created. He did not invent the structure but copied it from God, having once worked in God’s kingdom and understood its structure and hierarchy. Ephesians 3:10 states that, the wisdom of God is made known to the principalities by the church, meaning these principalities learn about God’s plans and wisdom through the church of God.
And satan is utilizing his experience effectively. His organization and purposefulness within his kingdom demonstrate how well-structured it is. Jesus himself stated that the devil’s kingdom is not divided against itself, which is why the unitedly work towards one goal: to frustrate the gospel of Christ. “If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.” Luke 11:18. Lower demons submit to higher ranking demons, who in turn submit to even higher authorities, and ultimately to Satan, the highest authority and the god of this age.
THE INTENSITY OF THE FIGHT
Paul’s reference to wrestling was in the context of a violent Greek sport where wrestling opponents would fight to the death using dangerous gloves or other terrible objects on each other. It was one of the deadliest sports during the time. It was bloody and brutal, with practices like breaking fingers, legs, ribs, and even gouging eyes. There were no rules such as we have in our present day wrestling and boxing tournaments; the goal was to dominate and make the opponent submit, often resulting in death. This is the intensity Paul refers to when describing spiritual warfare. It is merciless and brutal. Wrestlers often preferred death over walking out of the ring in defeat and humiliation.
THE UNSEEN CONFLICT IS AS DEADLY
In this powerful conflict with unseen forces in the spiritual realm, Paul warns us that the devil is fully committed to the fight and he does not play by rules. And believers are not in this conflict with just a few demons, but the entire spiritual structure of the devil’s kingdom. These forces are brutal and merciless, and it is important for us to understand this. This message is not meant to instill fear in your heart, but to inform you of the reality of what is happening.
We are not afraid of the fight neither are we afraid of Satan’s terror. We have always been on the winning side and will continue to prevail over him and his cohorts. You know, the interesting thing is that we have the assurance of victory before the fight even began. The commander-in-chief of the heavenly forces, the head of all principalities and powers is on our side. He is the creator of all things, including the devil and his forces. Colossians 1:21 says, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”
Jesus is seated above all principalities, powers, and dominions – “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come…” Ephesians 1:20-21.
And we are seated with Him in high places – And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6. Every believer must recognize it and take his position alongside Him.
The Bible also tells us in Colossians 2:15 that Jesus has disarmed principalities and powers and He made a public spectacle of them triumphing over them in it. This means that they are now disarmed and defeated. Though they may bark like dogs, their barking does not scare us. We will always put them in their place.
“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.” 1 Peter 5:8-9.
Believers are called to resist the devil and defeat him whenever he strikes with his deadly blows. We must force him to cease his evil operations and activities around us. Yes, we are well equipped to fight him and win. Paul declares, “I use God’s mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil’s strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4, TLB).
Stay tuned for part three.
