Spiritual Warfare

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:12

What is Ephesians 6:12 mean?

Ephesians 6:12 is about spiritual warfare. It states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

The book of Ephesians was written by the apostle Paul to the early Christian community in Ephesus, a city in modern-day Turkey. The community was comprised of both Jews and Gentiles. Paul's letter addressed the unity and oneness of the church, despite their diverse backgrounds.

This passage is part of a larger section that deals with the idea of putting on the "armor of God." This armor is described as a way for believers to protect themselves against the attacks of the devil and his evil forces.

The primary struggle believers face is not against other people, but against the spiritual forces of evil that operate in the heavenly realms. These forces include "rulers," "authorities," and "powers of this dark world." The verse reminds us that the spiritual battle is real and that we are called to engage in it.

So, how do we engage in spiritual warfare according to Ephesians 6? The passage suggests that we put on the "armor of God" as a way to protect ourselves against the attacks of the devil and his evil forces. This armor includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Additionally, we should pray for protection and strength, staying spiritually alert, resisting the temptations of the devil, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. It's also important to remember that our ultimate victory has already been secured through Jesus Christ through his death and resurrection. We are no longer captive to sin and death. We have the hope of victory in Christ and eternal life in a resurrected body. So, we can fight the spiritual battle with confidence, knowing that God is always with us and that we are on the winning side.

Prayer for Spiritual Warfare

Heavenly Father,

We come to you today in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We thank you for the victory that has been secured for us through His death and resurrection. We thank you that through Him, we have been set free from the power of sin and death, and that we have been made victorious over the forces of spiritual darkness.

We pray, Lord, that the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places would bow their knee to Jesus as the righteous king of heaven and earth. We pray that the power of the enemy would be broken and that the name of Jesus would be lifted high in the heavenly realms.

We ask for your protection and guidance as we engage the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We put on the full armor of God, securing ourselves with the truth of your word, the righteousness of Jesus Christ, boldly proclaming the gospel of peace, raising the shield of faith, garnishing our mind with the helmet of salvation, and wielding the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, against our enemy the devil.

We pray that you would fill us with your Holy Spirit, and that we would be strengthened in faith and wisdom to resist the enemy and to stand firm in our faith.

We trust in your love and faithfulness, and we know that through Jesus, we have already won the victory.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.