Who is the enemy? Paul gives us insight in this letter. Ephesians 6: 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.[1]
Enemies in the Unseen World.
“The demons are fallen angels who joined Satan in his rebellion and thus became perverted and evil. The descriptive words “rulers,” “authorities,” “cosmic powers,” and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” reveal the characteristics of these enemies as well as their sphere of operations… Paul used the names of groups of evil powers not so much to establish classes or distinguish demonic powers as to show the full extent of Satan’s warfare.”[2]
Yet, we can be strong in God and His mighty power because He is stronger than the enemy. Paul had urged the church of Ephesus to be unified as a family through their faith earlier in the letter. They would need that unity because the enemy would attack, and the church must be ready to stand and fight.
Heavenly Places
Paul uses the term “heavenly places” five times in the letter to the Ephesians. This would be the sphere beyond our physical world or a place of spiritual activity where the conflict between good and evil occurs. There is a progression through the letter as Paul speaks of heavenly places:
1. Believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the “heavenly places” (1:3).
2. Christ is seated at God’s right hand in the “heavenly places” (1:20).
3. We have been raised up to sit with Christ in the “heavenly places” (2:6).
4. God is being made known to the rulers and authorities in the “heavenly places” (3:10).
5. We struggle against the spiritual forces of evil in the “heavenly places” (6:12).
We are not alone in the battle of the spiritual realm; Christ is with us and more powerful than the enemy.
Forewarned is Forearmed
Paul warned the Ephesians to be prepared for spiritual battles and listed the tools God has given us to overcome. The enemy would have easily defeated them without being aware of the battle. The same is true today. I used to think that life was like a playground and wondered why I was wounded. Now I know that life is like a battleground of good and evil. The devil has schemes to put my faith on the sideline. But when I am aware and armed for this scheme, I can win with the Lord’s help. Who is the enemy?
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[1]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
[2] Barton, B. B., & Comfort, P. W. (1996). Ephesians (pp. 129–130). Tyndale House Publishers.