By Andrew Williams
Opening Prayer: Father, open our spiritual eyes to see the reality of the world as You see it, and give us courage rooted in Your truth. Amen
Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
“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.”
The phrase “spiritual warfare” can sound intense, maybe even a little strange. For many, it’s just a metaphor for overcoming personal struggles or facing a difficult day. But the Bible presents it as something much more real and specific. This verse in Ephesians draws a clear battle line, and it’s a line most of us miss. Our primary conflict in life is not with our difficult boss, our frustrating family member, or the person who cut us off in traffic. Our fight is not against “flesh-and-blood.” Our fight is against evil spiritual beings!
This means that behind many of our earthly struggles, there is an unseen, spiritual conflict taking place. Paul describes a hierarchy of “evil rulers and authorities… mighty powers in this dark world.” These are not myths or fairy tales; they are spiritual beings whose goal is to oppose God, to disrupt His purposes, and to pull our hearts and minds away from Him.
Understanding this doesn’t make us fearful; it makes us wise. It means we stop blaming people as the ultimate source of our problems and start recognizing the true enemy’s schemes. Spiritual warfare is the ongoing reality of living as a citizen of God’s kingdom in a world that is under the influence of darkness. It’s a fight for our worship, our focus, and our faith.
Disciple’s Life Tip:
Today, when you find yourself in a conflict or feeling frustrated with a person, take a moment to pause and pray this simple prayer: “Lord, remind me my real fight is not with this person. Give me wisdom to respond with grace and to see the real battle. “Amen
Remember, “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.”
Closing Prayer: Father God, thank You for showing us the truth. Help us to be wise and discerning, ready to stand firm in Your strength against the spiritual warriors in the kingdom of darkness. Amen.
