Whom We Wrestle

Whom We Wrestle

Ephesians 6:12 New Living Translation
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.

   If you are sensitive to what is happening in the world around you, you know that there is a war going on for the minds and souls of people.  The slow creep of evil into our society has sped up lately and more and more things that would have been unmentionable in 1980 are accepted and advocated here in 2012.  Our government leaders no longer show even the pretense of fairness, only personal agendas and Party politics matter.  So when we look at this passage in Ephesians we can better understand what Paul was warning us about.  Our real battle is not against flesh and blood, but we battle the wiles of the devil and his minions.
   Paul wrote of this in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 also, where he wrote: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds."
   He writes that our battle is against various powers and rulers of this invisible realm.  He used a variety of terms to refer to these spiritual adversaries.  I read this to mean these creatures are on many different levels and of many different ranks, yet they all have one goal: to defeat the Christian and hinder the spread of the Gospel.  When we are in the fight and these powers are working to slow us down and distract us from the work of the Kingdom of God, it really doesn’t matter what rank of enemy we are facing, they are all members of an evil army set on stopping the unprepared Christian.  And at the head of that army is the most evil being himself, Satan.
   There is some good news here, though.  We can stand against this evil force.  We have armor available that we can learn to use to better prepare ourselves for the battle.
   Some of the promises from God we need to remember are scattered throughout the Epistles.  In Romans 8:38 we learn that no matter how strong the opposition is, they cannot separate us from the love of God.  In Ephesians 1:20 – 21 we learn that our Lord, Jesus, is enthroned far above all principalities and powers.  In Colossians 2:10 we learn that Jesus is head over all principality and power.  In Colossians 2:15 we learn that Jesus disarmed principalities and powers at the cross and 1 Corinthians 15:24 tells us that one day their power will be broken and they will be rendered powerless.
   As I read this I know that if I am to have a victory in battle against these forces I must do so based on what Christ has already done not in what I can do in my own power.  I must face them in Christ and rely on His strength and His protection if I am to advance the Gospel.  Understand what they can and can't do, and know Who your strength is rooted in.  Jesus is not the opposite of Satan; He is above Satan, He always was above Satan and always will be above Satan.  Satan has decided to battle God’s Kingdom and has been granted the liberty to do so but only for a limited time.  When we oppose his work, we must do so in Christ’s protection.  Only then can we wrestle with an expectation of victory.

Stephen Cram                            March 4, 2012                     Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  Colossians 2:8