Know Your Enemy

To understand the enemy that you are facing as a believer of Jesus Christ let’s take a look at what the Word of God has to say. Ephesians 6:12 is very clear when it states, “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.”

Breaking down this verse of Scripture we can conclude that our warfare is not with a family member, spouse, children, co-worker, or the clerk at the grocery store. Not even close! Although at times it may seem like you are battling the people closest to you, in actuality you are at war with the demonic influence that is causing them to act in the negative way that they are.

Let’s take a closer look at each level of Satan’s demonic kingdom.

Principalities: The Greek word “archē” which means: the first place, principality, rule, magistracy. The term was transferred by Paul to angels and demons holding dominions entrusted to them in the order of things.

Powers: The Greek word is “exousia” which means: the leading and more powerful among created beings superior to man, spiritual potentates. Also used in the plural of a certain class of angels and also used also of demons: in the plural.

Rulers: the Greek word “kosmokratōr” which means: the lord of the world, prince of the age, the devil and his demons.

Spiritual Wickedness: Spiritual is the Greek word “pneumatikos” which means: spiritual beings or powers and wicked spirits. The word wickedness is the Greek word “ponēria” which means: depravity iniquity and wickedness and evil purposes or desires.

There are different levels of wickedness and different levels of power in Satan’s kingdom. As we can clearly see your battle is against a very militant and highly organized demonic kingdom led by Satan himself. He is a very powerful adversary and in our own power we are no match for him. In the spiritual realm there are two kingdoms: the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. They are consistently at odds with each other but they both have the same goal in mind, to win your soul.

The Lord’s Kingdom promises us eternal life with Him in heaven and life on Earth in abundance, John 10:10. The kingdom of darkness promises us eternal damnation and in complete separation from God. The enemy will make you think that you don’t have to live your life fully surrendered to Christ. He wants you to think that it is okay to live for Jesus and live in sin. That is one of his ultimate schemes. His mission is to take as many people to hell with him as he can.

Our problem is that we don’t take the time to learn our adversary. Life is completely spiritual and the first step to understanding the spiritual realm is acknowledging that it exists in the first place. One of the greatest deceptions that the devil uses over and over again on Christians is making us think that he isn’t real. If you don’t know that you are fighting a real and potent enemy, you’ve already lost the battle.

Hosea 4:6 describes, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” The reason why a lot of Christians fall for the devil’s schemes is because they don’t read the Bible and apply it to their daily lives or they don’t take the Word of God at face value. The enemy prowls around looking for people to devour, 1 Peter 5:8. The Christians that don’t have on the full armor of God, are not in their Word, don’t pray, and don’t have a true relationship with the Lord are easy targets.

The more Scriptures that you have saturated in your heart and mind, the harder it is for the enemy to come into your life and wreak havoc. Why? The Bible has the ability to renew your entire frame of mind: you will no longer have the urge to sin like you used to, you will have Scripture to combat the devil with, and you will understand how to live a life consecrated to Christ.

We can never underestimate the fact that the Word of God is a literal double-edged Sword as revealed in Hebrews 4:12. It states, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Jesus Christ Himself used God’s Word to come against Satan and we can see that in Matthew 4:4. Jesus proclaimed, “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” This phrase is also found in Luke 4:12 “Jesus said to the devil, “It is written, ‘You must not tempt the Lord your God.’”

The fact that the Lord used the Word of God to combat the adversary should be a clear indication of just how important reading your Bible actually is. The more passages of Scripture that you have in your heart and mind, the more artillery that you will have to fight the enemy. That is why he fights you so hard when you take time out to read your Word.

Along with the power of Scripture we have also been afforded the free gift of the Holy Spirit Whom is our Helper. At the moment that you said yes to Jesus you allowed the Holy Spirit to come into your heart to live. He plays so many roles in the life of a believer and it is imperative that you gain a clear understanding of the Spirit of God and how He guides and leads you.