The Gates are Spiritual
8th JUNE, 2021
“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.” [Ephesians 6:12 NLT]
This popular scripture describes the spiritual battle that exists in the lives of believers. Paul affirms that there is a battle and then goes on to make us understand that the battle is a spiritual one and not a physical one. He further explains that the enemy we face is not people or objects. Although, the devil may use those in his attacks against us, ultimately our battle is not against people but sin.
In our anchor scripture, Paul simply announces to us that we are in a spiritual battle. He states a fact that many Christians in our day seem to have forgotten. It is a reminder to stop focusing entirely on the physical battles we have to fight and to look beyond them. If we ignore the fact that we are in spiritual warfare, then we probably aren’t winning the battle.
Whether we refer to the enemy as a principality, spiritual host of wickedness or ruler of darkness, the only goal the enemy has is to knock the Christian down from our place of standing.
As believers, we must not allow the devil to have a stronghold in our minds.
The idea Paul gives in this scripture is the same as what can be found in 2 Corinthians 10:3–4 which says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.”
Once we begin to exercise our authority in Christ as believers and take our weapons of warfare such as prayer, praise and worship, victory over the enemy is assured in Christ Jesus. Just as a soldier’s equipment is designed for their earthly battle, a Christian’s equipment is meant for spiritual warfare.
Dear Father, thank You for the victory over the enemy’s daily ambushes. I stand in the power and authority You give, defeating all his schemes with my spiritual arsenal in Your Word!
Further Reading: Colossians 2:15 / 2 Corinthians 10:4
Bible In One Year: Psalms [87–90]
