FOR WE WRESTLE NOT

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Remember, Satan is a created being; thus, limited in his abilities. He needs help to carry out his mission for the world; therefore, he has kingdom workers. Satan’s kingdom is mainly comprised of fallen angels and demons. When Satan fell he was able to deceive one-third of the angel population who fell with him, and when needed they take on human form; unlike demons who are evil disembodied spirits that seek to inhabit bodies.
The above scripture Ephesians 6:12 describes the kingdom of Satan:
1. Principalities translated in Greek are “archas” meaning territories or jurisdictions over which chief rulers, princes or angels of the highest rank presides.
2. Powers translated in Greek is “exorisais” meaning authorities who derive their power to execute orders from the chief rulers.
3. Rulers of darkness translated in Greek are “kosmokratos,” meaning the evil spirits rulers who are controlling the world system.
4. Spiritual wickedness translated in Greek is “pneumatika ponerias,” meaning the wicked spirits of Satan. They have the lowest ranking in Satan’s kingdom.
Most of Satan’s kingdom followers are engaged in warfare tactics. In the life of believers, these tactics are enforced by ungodly angels, demons, and familiar spirits assigned to us by Satan. Your familiar spirit has been with you probably from birth; so, it knows what you like and dislikes and it along with other demonic spirits, uses this information against you. Dissimilar to believers they do not get tired; neither are they missing in battle. They are ready to fulfill their task to the best of their ability, and from the response of many believers, they have been successful.
Ultimately the primary mission of Satan is to separate mankind from God. His forces work in the political, religious, and socio-economic realms, and they seek to affect humans physically, emotionally, and mentally. Some of their tactics are to:
1. Repress = to keep down, restrain. Example: Your faults keep resurging, so you never feel good enough.
2. Depress = to cause to sink, fall, or assume a low position. Example: Ignorance of God’s word causes you to accept the lies of the devil.
3. Oppress = crush, burden, or trample down. Example: Experiencing one crisis after another.
4. Obsess = to occupy an undue or disproportionate place in mind. Example: Not able to control thoughts, and to allow the mind to be filled with negativity.
5. Possess = completely inhabited and controlled. Example: Actions are controlled by demons.
To counteract their attacks and tactics, we must remember our fight is not against flesh and blood. Human methods cannot be employed; they will fail. Believers must use the vast arsenal of weapons that God has provided (in future blogs, I will share them).
Finally, two critical scriptures are found in Luke 9:1a “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils” and in Mark 16:17a, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils.” These scriptures inform believers that we have power and authority to cast out demons that hoovers in our atmosphere or life. Remember, since Jesus said it, we can do it.