Episode 7, Wrestling in the Heavenlies
Have you ever been to a wrestling match? Attending one can give you a different perspective on 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.” Today, we are going to talk about wrestling in spiritual warfare against an invisible enemy. My name is Stephanie Wright. Thank you for joining us today. Let’s get started.
We have focused on empowerment through fasting the past six episodes. We have emphasized that fasting and prayer are two of our most powerful spiritual weapons after the Word of God. Today, I thought it would be good to talk about spiritual warfare from the perspective of Ephesians, Chapter 6.
Most everyone knows what warfare is because we see it in the movies, on television and have heard firsthand about actual warfare from soldiers. But spiritual warfare is different because you are fighting an unseen, invisible enemy. Our invisible enemy is God’s enemy, the same enemy from the beginning of time, Satan. The warfare began when Satan rebelled against God and influenced a third of the angels of heaven to join him in the rebellion. Of course, God defeated him and cast him and his angel entourage out of heaven. Revelation 12:7‑17. These fallen angels are evil spirits that exist in the heavenlies and wield their wicked influence in the earth. Their assignment is to lead mankind into sin and away from salvation through Jesus Christ to a fate of everlasting separation from God. Revelation 20:10‑15. But, listen to me. As we proceed in this episode, remember, Jesus defeated the devil and all his demons on Resurrection morning so we are already winners in every wrestling match. Furthermore, we have angels of protection around us. Psalms 34:7, says, “The angel of the LORD encamps round about them that fear him, and delivers them. Hebrews 1:14, says, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” These are just a few scriptures, there are many more scriptures of protection and comfort.
Now, returning to Ephesians 6:12, which says we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. If we forget who the real opponent is in this spiritual warfare, our focus will be misdirected. The struggle isn’t with who or what you see, the struggle is with who or what you do not see behind the person or even “in” the person.
In summary, spiritual warfare is warfare in the spirit against an unseen enemy, the enemy is not flesh and blood, the enemy is not people; our weapons are not carnal, man‑made weapons but are spiritual weapons (the Word of God, prayer, fasting and whatever the Holy Spirit equips you with to bring to the wrestling match). Finally, the most important thing to remember is Jesus defeated our opponent, the devil, in the most eventful wrestling match of all time when He rose from the dead having swallowed up death in victory. Therefore, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!
Now, let’s listen as Apostle Charles gives details on how to contact us and access past episodes in this and other series. And please, send an e
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Episode 7, Wrestling in the Heavenlies
Have you ever been to a wrestling match? Attending one can give you a different perspective on 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.” Today, we are going to talk about wrestling in spiritual warfare against an invisible enemy. My name is Stephanie Wright. Thank you for joining us today. Let’s get started.
We have focused on empowerment through fasting the past six episodes. We have emphasized that fasting and prayer are two of our most powerful spiritual weapons after the Word of God. Today, I thought it would be good to talk about spiritual warfare from the perspective of Ephesians, Chapter 6.
Most everyone knows what warfare is because we see it in the movies, on television and have heard firsthand about actual warfare from soldiers. But spiritual warfare is different because you are fighting an unseen, invisible enemy. Our invisible enemy is God’s enemy, the same enemy from the beginning of time, Satan. The warfare began when Satan rebelled against God and influenced a third of the angels of heaven to join him in the rebellion. Of course, God defeated him and cast him and his angel entourage out of heaven. Revelation 12:7‑17. These fallen angels are evil spirits that exist in the heavenlies and wield their wicked influence in the earth. Their assignment is to lead mankind into sin and away from salvation through Jesus Christ to a fate of everlasting separation from God. Revelation 20:10‑15. But, listen to me. As we proceed in this episode, remember, Jesus defeated the devil and all his demons on Resurrection morning so we are already winners in every wrestling match. Furthermore, we have angels of protection around us. Psalms 34:7, says, “The angel of the LORD encamps round about them that fear him, and delivers them. Hebrews 1:14, says, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” These are just a few scriptures, there are many more scriptures of protection and comfort.
Now, returning to Ephesians 6:12, which says we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. If we forget who the real opponent is in this spiritual warfare, our focus will be misdirected. We are not wrestling with our bosses or coworkers who may constantly nag us. They are the “flesh and blood.” We are wrestling against the spirit that makes the boss be the nag who has it in for you. Similarly, you are not wrestling against the man or woman who doesn’t like you for whatever reason. You are wrestling against the spirit of dislike, hatred or contempt. It’s a spiritual warfare. So, stop thinking it’s the person and open your spiritual eyes to identify the spiritual enemy attacking you. The struggle isn’t with who or what you see, the struggle is with who or what you do not see behind the person or even “in” the person.
So, first we have to acknowledge who the real opponent is we are wrestling against. In a real war that is what leaders have to do. They have to identify the enemy, locate the enemy, and defeat the enemy. Same for us in spiritual warfare. We have already identified who the enemy is. Now, where is the enemy? The enemy operates wherever principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places lurk. The Amplified Bible interprets the principalities as rulers, powers as authorities, the rulers of darkness as powers of this dark world, and spiritual wickedness in high places as spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.
These evil spirits roam the earth and the heavenlies. Jesus cast out demons after he finished His 40‑day‑and‑night fast in the wilderness and He told us in Mark 16:17, before He ascended to heaven, “these signs shall follow them that believe, In my name they shall cast out devils . . .”
St. Peter warned us to, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour . . .” 1 Peter 5:8. Matthew 12:43-45 tells how after an evil spirit is cast out of a man, it returns and sees the man’s house (his body) is unoccupied (with the Holy Spirit) so the evil spirit goes and gets seven more spirits and they move in. And in Daniel 10, we hear of Michael the Archangel having to assist another angel against an evil spirit called the Prince of Persia. Revelation 12:7-1, tells of the warfare in heaven where the archangel defeats the dragon (Satan) and his angels. Proof that these evil spirits are in the earth and in the heavenlies.
Finally, how do we defeat these evil spirits? First and foremost, the thing to remember about a spiritual wrestling match and spiritual warfare is, (as stated at the beginning of this presentation) you have won even before the match begins. Why? Because the battle is the Lord’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15. 2 Corinthians 10:4, also reminds us, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (or manmade), but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” Jesus defeated Satan when He rose from the dead having swallowed up death in victory. Isaiah 25:8. Through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost, we “pin” the devil to the spiritual wrestling mat every time! For those of you who do not know, in wrestling, you win your match after you “pin,” that’s “p‑i‑n,” your opponent’s shoulders or shoulder blades to the mat for a period of seconds during the match.
So, what are our spiritual weapons of warfare? The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God is our most powerful weapon. Jesus used the Word against the devil when he tempted him in the wilderness. Matthew 4. If Jesus needed to use the Word to defeat the devil, then surely, so do we. Prayer and fasting are our weapons also. Jesus fasted and prayed, and expects us to do so too. He said, “When you pray and when you fast, not if you pray and if you fast,” (Matthew 6:7, 17). We do not have a choice if we are to prevail in the wrestling match. If our commander, Jesus, used those weapons in His spiritual warfare to overcome the enemy then we should use those weapons also. Ephesians 6:18, tells us to pray always with all prayer, I believe “all prayer” encompasses anything and everything that will help us win in every spiritual wrestling match. Whatever your weakness, all prayer says pray for strength in that area. All prayer helps us to persevere, to “stick it out” not only for ourselves but others. Ephesians 6:18.
Finally, Ephesians 6:11 through 17, tells us to put on God’s armor which dresses us in truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, previously listed. Jesus is not going to send us into the wrestling match or into battle without the right armament and the right weapons. No responsible commander would do that to his or her warriors. Jesus does not need to step in the wrestling ring because we are equipped through the Holy Spirit to “win the pin.” We put on the whole armor of God so we can stand against the devil’s tricks (Ephesians 6:11); so, we can withstand whatever chicanery he uses to try and overtake us in the evil day (verse 13); and, so we can “quench” which literally means extinguish or put out all the fiery darts of wickedness from whatever the source (verse 16).
In summary, spiritual warfare is warfare in the spirit against an unseen enemy, the enemy is not flesh and blood, the enemy is not people; our weapons are not carnal, man‑made weapons but are spiritual weapons (the Word of God, prayer, fasting and whatever the Holy Spirit equips you with to bring to the wrestling match). Finally, the most important thing to remember is Jesus defeated our opponent, the devil, in the most eventful wrestling match of all time when He rose from the dead having swallowed up death in victory. Therefore, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!
Now, let’s listen as Apostle Charles gives details on how to contact us and access past episodes in this and other series. And please, send an email to cgmpresents@gmail.com to share your experiences in spiritual warfare.