"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places"  (Eph. 6:12).

It is very easy to get our eyes on men in the midst of circumstances and situations that we face.  However, we need to recognize that we are actually wrestling in a spiritual warfare against evil spirits. Even though we see evil men doing evil things in the world, we have to recognize the evil spirits that are leading, promoting, and using the evil men for their purpose of killing, stealing, and destroying (John 10:10). Paul makes this very clear. "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" (II Cor. 10:3,4). Our warfare is actually against demon principalities and powers, to pull down the works, inroads, strongholds of the devil and stop the devil right in his tracks.

Who is the enemy?  First, Paul names principalities.  Principalities comes from the Greek word arche´ which means the beginning or the head.  The word arch for the highest point of a doorway or room comes from this same Greek word.  Principalities are prince demons that rule just under Satan.  They usually are over cities and operate at the lead the highest spheres of demonic activities.  Second, Paul names powers. Powers might be better translated authorities.  The Greek word used here is exousia which means out of right or authority. These powers or authorities lead demonic strongholds within community areas of the city.  Third, Paul names the rulers of the darkness of this age. This is where demonic activity and influence pervades and dominates the lives and agendas of some of the rulers of governments in this age.  Fourth, Paul names the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies.  This includes the fallen angels with Satan who fight the spiritual battles against God's angels.  This also includes the demons who are disembodied spirits.  These demons seek to mislead, dominate, or demonize Christians in their minds.  These demons are allowed to go much further with some unbelievers, even to full  control or demon possession in their minds and bodies.

What is the answer?  We had better fully know Christ!  Christ defeated Satan and every demon on the cross.  After Christ placed His blood for our justification before the Father in heaven following His resurrection, He went down into the bowels of hell and preached to all those Old Testament saints waiting in paradise (Hebr. 9:23-24; I Pet. 3:18-19).  They weren't being tormented by Satan, just held in paradise until Jesus came to preach and free them to leave paradise with Him (Eph. 4:8-9).  Christ disarmed all the principalities and powers and made a public spectacle of them by the finished work of the cross (Col. 2:15).  Christ and His finished work on the cross is the only thing that disarms the enemy we are wrestling against! V