EPHESIANS 6:12

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” 

Some people just like to fight. I was talking to someone this week who is in a struggle with their neighbor. They live in a townhouse, so they share a wall and a sidewalk. The neighbor is not a believer and does not life a lifestyle conducive to peace. Conflicts are inevitable. He asked my advice on how to handle the problem. I simply said to ask their forgiveness for offending them (they obviously felt offended) and let it go at that. Then I shared this verse with them. How appropriate, right?

Paul knows the Ephesians (and us) would be attacked by the evil one. Every struggle we face can be tied back to his influence in our life or the life of someone else. He just loves conflict. He thrives on it. Paul had lived this. He knew firsthand how the devil would wage war on the believer. In fact, Paul had allowed him to use him against the believers. Paul was relentless in his pursuit of the early believers. He was in fact a pawn of Satan for a season.

APPLICATION

My favorite commentator, Albert Barnes, has this to say about this battle we are up against every day. “It is a warfare on a large scale with the entire kingdom of darkness over the world. Yet in maintaining the warfare, the struggle will be with such portions of that kingdom as we come in contact with and will actually relate:

(1) to our own sinful propensities – which are a part of the kingdom of darkness;

(2) with the evil passions of others – their pride, ambition, and spirit of revenge – which are also a part of that kingdom;

(3) with the evil customs, laws, opinions, employments, pleasures of the world – which are also a part of that dark kingdom;

(4) with error, superstition, false doctrine – which are also a part of that kingdom; and,

(5) with the wickedness of the pagan world – the sins of benighted nations – also a part of that kingdom. Wherever we come in contact with evil – whether in our own hearts or elsewhere – there we are to make war.”

I know that was a rather lengthy quote. I hope you found it useful. Today, when someone gets in your business or someone cuts you off in traffic, remember that you are not battling them. You are battling these forces of darkness. Satan will use people who never know they are being used. Getting angry at them does no good and only ruins our reputation.

Notice the hierarchy of evilness in today’s verse – rulers, powers, world forces. We will rarely deal with Satan ourselves. He will normally send his little minions, the demonic spirits under his control, to harass or tempt us. If we are ready and prepared to fight Satan himself, we can certainly handle any demon we encounter. Remember, it is the power of God, not our power that defeats them.

Lord, thank You for empowering us with Your power to fight against these evil forces.