NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against 
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the 
darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in 
the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

The fact that our real battle is not against flesh and blood is lost 
on many followers of Jesus, who put all their efforts in that 
direction. Paul's idea here is much the same as in 2 Corinthians 
10:3-4: "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."

Then Paul described just whom we do battle against: 
"Principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the 
darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in 
the heavenly places." Paul used a variety of terms to refer to our 
spiritual adversaries. We should regard them as being on many 
different levels and of many different ranks, yet they all have one 
goal: to knock the Christian down from their place of standing.

Ephesians 6:11 tells us that all of our warfare is combating "the 
wiles of the devil."  At the end of the day it is completely irrelevant if 
the particular opponent we face is a principality, a power, or a ruler 
of the darkness of this age. Collectively, they are all members of 
"spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." They 
are all part of a spiritual army that is organized and established into 
ranks - and under the headship of Satan, the devil, who comes 
against us with his wiles.

We learn more about these principalities and powers from other 
passages in the New Testament.

- Romans 8:38 tells us that principalities cannot keep us from 
God's love. Therefore, there is a limit to their power.

- Ephesians 1:20-21 tells us that Jesus is in enthroned in heaven, 
far above all principalities and powers. Colossians 1:16 tells us 
that Jesus created principalities and powers. Colossians 2:10 
tells us that Jesus is head over all principality and power. 
Therefore, Jesus is not the opposite of Satan or principalities.

- Ephesians 3:10-11 tells us that the church makes known the 
wisdom of God to principalities and powers. 1 Corinthians 15:24 
tells us that principalities and powers have an end; one day their 
purpose will be fulfilled and God will no longer let them work. 
Therefore, God has a purpose in allowing their work.

- Colossians 2:15 tells us that Jesus disarmed principalities and 
powers at the cross. Therefore, our victory is rooted in what Jesus 
did, not in what we do. It isn't that there is no doing on our part - but 
our doing is the appropriation and application of what Jesus did.

Understanding our spiritual adversaries – what they can and can't 
do – is an important part of success in our struggle against them. In 
it all, remember: our adversaries in this struggle are not human, but 
spiritual – and Jesus has defeated them.