For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12)
A Simple Approach to the Battle Beyond Flesh and Blood
Ephesians 6:12, a verse from the Bible, tells us that our real battle isn’t with other people but with spiritual forces we can’t see. The Apostle Paul wrote this to help Christians realize that their problems are often spiritual and not just about what’s happening around them. Let’s look at the three main strongholds mentioned in the verse—rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers—and see how they’ve tricked the Church over time, all in simple terms anyone can understand.
The Rulers
Rulers are evil spiritual beings working behind the scenes, almost like invisible influencers. They can steer leaders, institutions, and even churches toward things like greed, selfishness, and power. Sometimes, these rulers cause church leaders to lose sight of what’s really important—serving others and staying true to the Bible. They also shape the values of society, encouraging materialism (putting stuff before faith) and moral relativism (the idea that right and wrong depend on personal opinion). Their tricks often look like something good or modern but slowly pull people away from God’s truth.
The Authorities
Authorities are spiritual forces that take charge of certain situations or weaknesses. They love to create confusion and arguments, especially within the Church. Throughout history, these authorities have caused divisions over the meaning of the Bible and how people practice their faith. When the Church is split into groups, it loses strength and unity. Authorities also play on our fears, pride, or lack of understanding, sometimes making their bad ideas seem like they’re for a good cause, which can be really confusing.
The Cosmic Powers
Cosmic powers are even bigger—they influence entire systems, world events, and trends. They use things like wars, disasters, and economic problems to distract believers and shake their trust in God. These powers also use today’s technology and media to spread confusing or false messages about faith. With so much information out there, it’s easy to get lost and not know what’s really true, which can weaken the Church’s message and make it harder for people to grow in faith.
What Can We Do?
Ephesians 6:12 is a reminder for Christians to realize that their real fight is with these unseen forces, not other people. But the good news is that we’re not alone in this. If we stay alert, ask God for wisdom to tell truth from lies, and rely on His strength, we can stand strong. Understanding these strongholds—rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers—helps us keep our focus on what matters most: living out our faith and bringing hope to the world.
Minister A Francine Green
February 2026
Bibliography
- Hauerwas, Stanley, and William H. Willimon. The Sermon on the Mount: A Commentary on Matthew 5–7. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006.
- Willimon, William H., and Stanley Hauerwas. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1989.
- Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011. (For references to the Sermon on the Mount and teachings of Jesus.)
- Wright, N.T. The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering His Revolutionary Teaching. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1999.
- Yoder, John Howard. The Politics of Jesus. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.
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