One of the most important truths revealed in Scripture is that life involves far more than what meets the eye. Behind the visible world is an unseen spiritual conflict, one that shapes many of the experiences we encounter. God’s Word unveils this reality—not to instill fear, but to arm us with confidence and clarity.
The apostle Paul pulls back the curtain:
“For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly realm” (Ephesians 6:12).
The word “world-rulers” appears only here in the New Testament and was used in ancient Greek literature for gods and emperors who ruled the known world. Paul is identifying a well-organized hierarchy of real spiritual entities—demonic rulers influencing earthly affairs. The phrase “in the heavenly realm” refers not to heaven as God’s dwelling, but to the unseen spiritual realm that intersects with our physical world. This is a literal war zone, not poetic symbolism.
Our struggle is not with people—it’s against the spiritual forces of wickedness operating behind the scenes. These forces are active, deceptive, and resistant to the truth. Satan, as the god of this age and the ruler of this world, manipulates minds and circumstances to obscure God’s truth (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31).
However, the devil’s power is limited. His ultimate defeat was sealed when Jesus rose from the dead. Through Christ, God has given believers the authority to stand firm and prevail over the enemy.
When God raised Jesus from the dead, He seated him:
“…far above every ruler, and authority, and power, and lordship, and every name that is named…” (Ephesians 1:21).
These terms describe both human and spiritual powers. Jesus is exalted above all of them. His resurrection marked his total triumph over every hostile force.
And we, too, have been raised and seated with him:
“…and raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavenly realm in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
This is an example of the Hebrew idiom known as the “prophetic perfect”—a way of speaking future events as already accomplished to stress their certainty. We are not literally in the heavenly realm now, but our identity and position in Christ is secure and guaranteed.
This is not mere poetry—it is positional truth. As part of Christ’s Body, we share in his victory and spiritual authority. We are not powerless. We’ve been equipped to stand strong.
In Ephesians 6:13–17 Paul outlines our spiritual armor: 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.
This armor is not automatic. It must be deliberately put on. The belt of truth, for instance, represents a deep understanding of spiritual realities—truths about God, about Jesus, about ourselves, and about the future. Each piece of armor reflects an aspect of Christ’s nature and must be actively worn and used.
This imagery stems from messianic passages like Isaiah 11:5 and 59:17, where the coming Savior is clothed in righteousness and faithfulness. When we put on the armor of God, we are putting on the life, power, and character of Christ. We don’t fight alone—we stand firm in him.
Jesus has already disarmed the powers of darkness:
“He stripped the rulers and authorities of their power and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15).
This verse reflects the image of a Roman Triumph—a victorious general publicly parading his defeated enemies. Christ not only disarmed the demonic forces but humiliated them openly through his death and resurrection.
And yet, the battle continues until Jesus returns to fully establish his reign:
“The God of peace will crush the Devil under your feet shortly…” (Romans 16:20).
This promise is both future and present. While it points to the final defeat of the Devil, it also affirms our present victories as we stand firm and resist his schemes.
Until that day, we are God’s frontline ambassadors. Each time we speak the truth, resist temptation, love unconditionally, or forgive, we are pushing back against darkness and standing for the kingdom.
Elisha’s servant feared the surrounding armies, but the prophet prayed:
“Yahweh, please open his eyes so that he may see.” God opened the young man’s eyes—and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:17).
The spiritual battle often looks nothing like a battlefield. It’s rarely marked by explosions or bloodshed. Sometimes, it appears as something quiet, solitary, and deeply personal—like a lone figure in the snow, bowed in prayer.
I chose the painting Prayer at Valley Forge for this article because it powerfully embodies the very essence of what I’m writing about. It portrays General George Washington, burdened with the future of a fledgling nation, not drawing strength from his soldiers, but from God. While history records the suffering and hardship of that brutal winter, the artwork reminds us that the true turning point came through prayer. The visible struggle was met—and ultimately overcome—by an invisible strength.
This is the reality we need to grasp. We are not alone. We are not outmatched. The forces of heaven surround us, and Christ is in us.
In the spiritual battle, we must realize that our calling is not merely to defend. We are also called to advance. The armor of God doesn’t just protect us—it empowers us to move forward, pushing back against the forces of darkness. The sword of the spirit, the Word of God, is not merely a tool for defense but an offensive weapon. Each time we declare God’s truth, speak His Word, or proclaim the gospel, we are advancing God’s will and diminishing the influence of evil.
Jesus exemplified this active stance when he faced temptation in the wilderness. He didn’t simply resist the devil—he fought back with the Word of God, declaring:
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Though Satan may have some power, he holds no ultimate authority over us. Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the grave has already been secured on the cross, and now we stand in that victory. We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).
One of the most powerful examples of victory through faith is seen in the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. Surrounded by enemies, Jehoshaphat prayed, acknowledging his weakness but confidently declaring his trust in God’s strength:
“O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chronicles 20:12).
In response, God promised victory without needing to fight:
“You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you…” (2 Chronicles 20:17).
God’s victory was so complete that the enemies of Israel destroyed each other, and the people of God didn’t even need to fight. This moment in history not only illustrates the power of faith and standing firm in God’s promise, but also serves as a powerful reminder that, even when we feel powerless, we can rely on His strength. Just as He fought for His people then, He fights for us now, and His victory is assured.
The spiritual battle is real, but so is our victory. We are not fighting for victory; we are fighting from victory—victory that has already been secured in Christ.
Fighting the good fight of faith with you,
