The Enemy is Organized

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. (Ephesians 6:11-12)

The moment you understand these verses, your view of every conflict in your life will change. Believers aren’t called to fight people. You are not at war with your spouse, your employer, or even the person who lied to you or betrayed you. They were merely puppets used by the real enemy. Paul named the real enemies clearly. Principalities, the Greek word archai, means rulers. These are demonic forces that make moves and decisions. Powers, from the Greek word exousia, refer to delegated demons in the kingdom of darkness. Rulers of the darkness of this world are spirits that govern systems of darkness on earth.

Spiritual wickedness in high places refers to evil spiritual forces operating in high positions of authority. This is not a list of chaotic spirits running amok. The enemy has an organized system to confuse and disrupt believers from exercising their authority. In fact, the word Paul used for how the enemy works shows us exactly this. The Greek word for wiles is methodeia, from which we get the word methodology. The devil has a system tailored specifically to you. This is why Paul said to put on the whole armor, because a methodical enemy will find any gap you leave uncovered.

Then Paul wrote an interesting command for believers to use in their full armory. His command is to stand, not to attack. That word is repeated throughout this passage because it is the posture of someone who has already won a victory. You are not trying to gain ground. You are holding ground that Jesus has already secured. You are called to stand, alert and armored, not passive or waiting. Hold your ground and stand.

Practical Application

Think about the conflict you are most frustrated with right now. Ask the Holy Ghost to show you that it’s not people who are the problem, but the spirit that is influencing their decisions. Then shift your warfare from the natural to the spiritual. Pray, confess the Word, and stand your ground in the Spirit rather than wearing yourself out in the flesh.

2 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Peter 5:8