Who is Our Enemy

These days it seems that our biggest enemy is an unseen one. With either COVID or Dengue fever lurking invisibly to get us down. We've seen friends contact the COVID 19 virus and die while others seem to have little effects after their bout with the disease. Dengue to an American seems like a tropical sickness that is no threat to most of them. If they even know what it is. 

In our study of Ephesians 6 and the believer’s armor, we have so far discovered that our strength comes from the Lord and his power. We have also learned that God has provided us with supernatural armor that can deflect the devil’s twisted schemes. 

In this study, we’ll begin to see who our enemies aren’t and who they are in more detail. Have you ever played a video game where you had to seek and destroy your enemies who were lurking around every corner? Or have you ever done paintball where you had a rifle with paintball bullets and you were not only hunting but also being hunted? It is an adrenaline rush. 

It is one thing to watch a movie about war and battles and be safe and sound on your couch. It is quite another thing to be out in the woods, knowing that someone else is out there too. And that the other person also has a weapon. And that their target is you! It’s fun and scary. The fun is knowing that if you get stung with a paintball that you will only be out of action for that round. In a real war, if you are hit by an enemy bullet or grenade you lose more than a round of fun. 

Spiritual warfare is like hand-to-hand combat between men. It is sort of like a cruel version of a video game but with real consequences if you don't protect yourself or step up to the battle. 

Our struggle is not against people

Paul starts verse 12 with these words, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood”

I don't know about you, but I often think that people on the highways are on the opposite side of the friendship scale. It seems that they want to go faster than I do, or not as fast as I want them to go. They pull in front of me without using a turn signal. Or they use their high beam headlights when I can hardly see the road ahead. Or they are driving a truck or tractor going 5 per hour. UGH. What’s with these people. 

It seems that in this verse, Paul is saying that we don’t have flesh and blood enemies. If there seems to be a problem with another human being, it is NOT a problem with them. There is another source for the trial. How is that?

Paul explained, “but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Here he gives us four divisions of the devil’s army that we are dealing with regularly. Did you know this? So, who are these enemies? If they are real, and Paul says that they are, how can I know more about them? Or do I need to know more about them?

One of my commentaries said the following: “The struggle is not physical (against flesh and blood); it is a spiritual conflict against the spiritual "Mafia." Though the ranks of satanic forces cannot be fully categorized, the first two (rulers and authorities) have already been mentioned in 1:21 and 3:10. Paul added the powers of this dark world (cf. 2:2; 4:18; 5:8) and the spiritual forces of evil. Their sphere of activity is in the heavenly realms...” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, NT p.643).

This spiritual battle, with these evil beasts, has one goal, that being to ruin your life. Jesus said in John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill (can mean to sacrifice) and destroy (violence and strife are often the ... meaning related to this word); I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

A. "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy."

1. Satan is a thief and he would steal your ...

a. Purity.

b. Standards.

c. Strength (destroys the power to resist).

d. Blessings of knowing & serving God.

2. He seeks to destroy.

a. Your defenses by;

1. Drawing you away from the Word.

2. Drawing you away from Fellowship.

3. Drawing you away from Prayer.

b. Your freedom.

1. He places man under bondage.

So, we’ll learn more about this spiritual war and how we can win the majority of the battles on Sunday.