The Alpha of Spiritual Struggles

2137/10000 The Alpha of Spiritual Struggles
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
Ephesians 6 v 12
This is an amazing verse and revelation received by Paul. There are no knock out blows in a wrestling match. It is a continual struggle with sometimes our opponent gripping us, sitting astride us and sometimes with us coming on top. Jacob instead of struggling with his own inner desires that were trying to dominate him was wrestling with the spirit of God. Saul, the king was also wrestling with flesh and blood and even kicking against the thorns hurting himself in the process. This uni-verse points out to us with utmost clarity the range of forces of darkness, of evil, of the enemy of mankind, the killer, the robber, the thief of our peace, our shalom, the thief of the glory of God, the thief of our health, success and well being. The enemy is described as the lord of the power of the air, the one who rules over the governing authorities and ruling powers of the nations of the world.
In the run up to this verse, Paul exhorts the believers to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. It does not tell us to use our own strength but to be clothed, filled, endowed with the strength of the Lord. We need to have a conception of the infinite power of El Shaddai or Almighty God. The psalmist states that the nations are but a drop in the bucket for the Lord, that the great oceans and universe itself can be held between His palms. We have a demonstration of the power of Jesus throughout His ministry on earth and to this day through testimonies of people who have been raised from the dead, healed of incurable diseases, set free from bondages. We should clothe or saturate ourselves with such great power, strength, authority of the Lord and exercise it effectively to set people held captive by sin and curses, demonic forces, evil habits, evil influences and alliances. In order to do so, we should always wear the internal spiritual armour that the Lord gives us in the form of His sword, the shield of faith to defend ourselves from the attacks, assaults, missiles of the enemy forces. From head to foot, we need to be protected so that our vulnerable areas are not exposed, no weaknesses or chinks in our armour that the enemy’s weapons can penetrate.
We do not have to physically fight for the Lord will fight our battles for us. We should only stand, pray, praise, worship and thank the Lord for imminent and certain victory over the forces of darkness. The Lord will crush the enemy under our feet. We are declared more than conquerors for we do not have to shed our blood, we do not have to raise our arms to defend ourselves or to attack. Whether our struggles are against many or few, the Lord will give us victory in Christ. What we declare in faith with our mouths will become spiritual reality. It is as if our tongues have become spiritual swords of fire to drive the darkness away, to throw the forces of darkness into utter disarray. Under the old covenant relationship, Joseph fled from the adulterous advances of Potiphar’s wife. Under the new covenant forged by Jesus, the enemy flees from us. Often our mere presence will resolve contentious issues. Our whole being becomes a sharp edge axe of the Lord to cut at the root of evil in this world. Our stance of faith will change circumstances. In these spiritual battles, Jesus as Commander –in-Chief of the armies of heaven will depute angels and chariots of fire in our aid and defence. The Lord like an effective judo champion will turn the strengths of the enemy against himself, the weapons of the enemy will turn against him like the waters of the Red Sea drowned the horses and chariots of Pharaoh as they were in hot pursuit of an unarmed Israel fleeing on foot. The Lord is our strength and defence. His strength will manifest in our areas of weakness and vulnerability. He determines the strategy that will deliver victory into our hands.