LEARNING DAILY

Ephesians 6:12, 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. (NKJV)

The word wrestle or struggle has jumped out at me while reading this verse and passage. Paul has written that we [Believers] are engaged in a struggle each day by using the word wrestle. Growing up in Iowa, our high school had a wrestling team. No, it was nothing like what is seen on television! Wrestling is a close, intense battle between two individuals in the same weight class. It is an excellent way of thinking about the daily battle between Believers and the negativity, fear, doubt, and difficulties they can face each day. I know the struggle can be real and can cause one to be physically exhausted.

Paul makes it very clear that this battle is ultimately a spiritual battle; the enemy is not other people or objects. The devil may use people, but the enemy is sin. Paul identifies the enemies of Believers as spiritual enemies – the devil and his schemes, the rulers, (those who may be at the top of the demonic forces), authorities (may be the general forces attacking Believers), and spiritual forces which may refer to the worldwide nature of the spiritual battle. This description indicates a ranking of evil beings who do the work of Satan on earth.

To fight this battle, Believers need to fight spiritually; the battle will not be won by using one’s physical abilities. Paul writes that the battle must be fought by daily putting on the armor of God. It involves prayer, standing firm on the Word of God, and by staying alert. It is the aspect of prayer I want to focus on today.

Some time ago, I read a devotional about struggling in prayer. I do not remember who wrote it; I believe it was David Wilkerson. He suggested that Believers do not “wrestle or struggle” over great needs in their prayer time. Spiritual warfare is done through actively engaging in prayer, worship, and seeking God and His guidance. Victory does not depend on the Believer’s own efforts but on relying on God, by putting on His armor, and by staying close to Him. The devotion I read challenged Believers to wrestle in their prayer time over those great spiritual needs and trials. That means to be vigilant in prayer for those you are praying for, crying out for God to intervene in their situation, in your situation until The Holy Spirit releases you from doing so. I know the demands of life and priorities one has interferes with this type of prayer. However, it may be vital to pray this way, to be in God’s Word daily to be victorious in spiritual battles. Put on the armor of God and be diligent in prayer just as you would prepare for your job or in the way you love your family to be alert to the schemes of the devil and to be able to stand strong!