The Path of Truth Forum

New Living Translation
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

Hi. First time poster here and I'm just wondering what your take is on this passage? I've read a lot of material on this site and I admire the way you guys stand up for truth and call people out on their hypocrisy and lies, etc... Wise people discuss, fools argue.

Hi Kyle,

Here's the Scripture that came to Victor's mind regarding your question:

“Then Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him, saying, God be gracious to You, Lord! This shall never be to You. But He turned and said to Peter, Go, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you do not savor the things that are of God, but those that are of men” (Matthew 16:22-23 MKJV).

The Lord wasn't fighting against flesh and blood, "but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world," with whom Peter was identifying. All born in sin need to be delivered from the power of darkness, and are, by faith in Christ:

"He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love" (Colossians 1:13 EMTV).

Peter was delivered, just as the Lord prayed for him:

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not. And when you are converted, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32 MKJV).

When transferred to the Kingdom, Peter also fought against spiritual wickedness in high places, as we see when he addressed the Israelites in Acts 2:

"This One [Jesus] given to you by the before-determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken and by lawless hands, crucifying Him, you put Him to death" (Acts 2:23 MKJV).

Compare that to how Satan speaks to the Israelites today through John Hagee:

Friend or Enemy of Israel and the Jews?

Only the Truth, hostile to and deplored by the flesh, makes free.

Paul