When I was in Bible College, I was on the wrestling team for several weeks until I got hurt. During that time, I learned that wrestling is not easy. It requires much strength, endurance, and skill.

Ephesians 6:12 states that “we wrestle” with the forces of evil. In the context of putting on God’s armour, the picture of wrestling probably refers to an intense conflict with a foe. Every Christian is in an intense conflict with the forces of evil.

Transition

In our text, the Holy Spirit points out three facts about our foes that we need to know in order to win the battle.

Our Spiritual Foes are not Human, v.12

  1. Our human abilities are very limited.
    1. Our knowledge is limited to what we observe and learn.
    2. We are limited to one location at a time, and we can only travel physically.
    3. Because we consist of body, soul, and spirit, we are able to communicate with God, who is a Spirit, but we have no innate power in that realm.
    4. We have no human power to fight outside the physical realm. Humanly, we can only fight with flesh and blood.
    5. We have no human strength against the spirit world. We must not underestimate the power of demons.
  2. Our foes attack on a spiritual level.
    1. Satan and his fallen angels dwell in the spiritual realm. We cannot see them, but they are very real.
    2. They do not primarily attack us on the physical level. Though Satan may attack our physical body as he did to Job, or promote some physical battles, we cannot physically wrestle with the spirit world as we can with a human.
    3. Our spiritual foes attack our spirit (through our mind or body) in an attempt to corrupt our communion with God. Here are a few Scripture examples.
      1. They lure into evil with lusts.1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
      2. They lie.Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
      3. They seek to deceive.2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
      4. They seek to devour or ruin lives.1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
      5. They seek to cause people to curse GodJob 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Our Spiritual Foes are Superhuman, v.12

Satan and his host of fallen angels are our spiritual enemies with superhuman abilities. The four terms used in this verse to describe our spiritual foes probably describe four characteristics of our foes rather than four kinds of foes. – Constable

  1. Our foes are principalities
    1. Principalities are chiefs or rulers. This stresses their authority. Satan is called “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2) and “prince of this world” (Joh 14:30).
    2. Demons are fallen angels with a high level of authority.John Eadie describes them as “fallen spirits, who once occupied positions of rank and prerogative in heaven, and may still retain a similar place among the hosts of apostate angels.”
    3. Humanly, we have absolutely no authority to tell the demons what to do. Their authority is far superior to that of humans.
  2. Our foes are powers
    1. Powers in this context are superhuman forces. This stresses their strength.
    2. They are very strong and we are weak.For one of us to wrestle the devil in our own strength would be like a newborn baby wrestling an Olympic gold medal wrestler.
  3. Our foes are rulers of the darkness
    1. The word rulers is a compound word meaning world-rulers. This stresses their universal influence. They are everywhere.
    2. Darkness is a picture of sin and separation from God who is light. Spiritual darkness covers the globe. Only Christians can reflect God’s light. Satan and his demons are the world-rulers of that darkness. They hate God’s light.
  4. Our foes are spiritual wickedness
    1. Spiritual wickedness refers to wicked spirits. This stresses their evil character.
    2. They have no moral principles, no code of honour, no decency, and no honesty. They are evil to the core.
    3. Their wickedness is in high places. This refers to the heavenlies or the spiritual realm. They attack our spirits primarily through our minds.

Our Spiritual Foes are not Divine, v.13

  1. They cannot overpower the panoply of God.
    1. Last week we learned that the “whole armour” is a panoply or full suit of protection. Here it is called the panoply of God. It is designed and empowered by God to be able to resist the most powerful spiritual foe.
    2. Because the spiritual enemies that are out to corrupt us are mighty authorities, superhuman powers, universal rulers, and utterly wicked, we must put on God’s panoply for protection.
    3. Christ is the sovereign of the universe.Ephesians 1:21 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:

      Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

      Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

    4. All powers are subject unto Him.1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
    5. The whole armour of God is strong enough to resist the strongest demonic attack and able also to cause the foe to flee.James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
  2. By obeying God, Christians can stand against them.
    1. “Having done all” includes allowing yourself to be strengthened by the Lord and by the power of His might (v.10). It includes putting on the whole armour of God (v.11, 13). It includes knowing your foes (v.12).
    2. By using God’s offer to the full, the Christian can stand and not fall in the battle. Every true Christian CAN have victory over EVERY sin if he will obey God completely as this verse teaches.

Conclusion

Soldiers not only need to complete boot camp, but they also need to know who their enemy is, where he is, and how he operates.

This evening we have learned that our foes are not human. We cannot see them and they attack us primarily in our minds. They are superhuman authority, strength, universal influence, and evil character. The good news is that they are not as powerful as God is. God can easily defeat them. When we depend fully on God and wear all of His armour, we too can enjoy victory.

Do not underestimate your enemy!

Song: The Fight is on 404
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Know Your Foes
29 June 2014 PM – Ephesians 6:12-13 – Eph 14 – Scott Childs