Wrestling the Right Way!

Life is a battle sometimes and we need to know who we are battling against. I think many times we’re fighting the good fight of faith against the wrong enemy. We need to wrestle the right way. Look at this scripture verse in the book of Ephesians

Ephesians 6:10–13 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The Passion Translation says it this way

Ephesians 6:10–13 TPT

10 Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you. 11 Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! 12 Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. 13 Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.

We Need to Know Who We Are Battling!

We are not battling human beings! Now I know we all know that in our head, but we need to know this in our hearts. We get mad at people and if we have our way, we will let everyone know about it. Well according to this portion of scripture, that’s not who our fight is with. Here’s who the armor of God is given to us to fight against.

Our Fight = The Highest Rebellious Principalities and Authorities!

No we’re not fighting people, we are not going against how people think or act, we’re going against the spirit that hold this world in darkness. Why do people act the way they act? Because they are blinded by these spirits.

2 Corinthians 4:1–4 NIV

1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

When We “Wrestle” Right We Set People Free!

We don’t set them free if we are wrestling them. We only antagonize them. We get push back. But when we use our armor the right way, we pierce the darkness and set people free. We become light in darkness. Remember it’s the evil spirits that keep this world dark.

Matthew 5:14–16 NLT

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Let’s Light Up the World!

We have to purpose to be the solution and not add to the problem. When we try to make changes based on our experience or our “morals” or the way you and I were raised, we might have a few agree but we won’t be making change! When we put on the armor of God and fight the right enemy, we light up the darkness and God can make the change necessary.