Why Wrestle Header

    I am often asked why I am so intent on studying world (worldly) events, when, at the same time, I declare that the fulfillments of prophecy are spiritual in nature. In answering this I must, of course, base my perspective on Scripture. We are told in Ephesians 6:12,

    “... we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
    Please notice the word “but”, following the words “...we wrestle not against flesh and blood...”

    While we are told that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, it is made clear that we are engaged in wrestling match against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high “places.” There is a battle to be fought and won. Therefore, I wrestle. It is akin to working out my own salvation with fear and trembling, as I am admonished in Philippiaans 2:12

and also we need to give consideration to this:
    “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:5-11
    Intrestingly enough, these verses are a part of the same passage, immediately preceeding the first text cited on this page. Our wrestling should be seen as spiritual, not physical, but one must also realize that the spiritual battles that are raging on planet Earth are being played out in the physical realm. Part of the battle, it would seem, envolves wrestling with our selves regarding how we should treat our masters. This includes anyone we serve, whether we are talking about serving and employer, or serving as a government official, serving the public interests. What matters most, is how we approach the battle — whether our main focus is on the temporal (physical, earthly and worldy) or if we are able to see past and/or above the physical, regarding with great interest, the spiritual aspects of the battle. After all, the battle is of Eternal concern. The devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

    We should not approach the battle “in the flesh,” but rather, in the Spirit — perhaps better stated: We should not consider it a physical battle and gain a deep recognition of the fact that, above all else, the battle is being waged against each and every soul on planet Earth — especially Christians.

    Our battle is not against people, with a purpose toward exposing the elusive “who” that are involved in the conflict, but rather, We are to focus on the spirtual “what,” learning daily of “what” the battle is all about, how the battle is being waged and how to win the battle?

    To battle in a spiritual manner, one does not need the latest, tecnologically-superior armor. No Physical weapons or armor of any kind are needed, but there is preparation that needs to be made. The preparation that needs to take place is a spiritual preparation, needed to wage the spiritual battle. In the wordly battle (taht of the flesh), we cannot do battle and have any hope of winning. Our battle is not IN the physical realm, rather, we are to focus on the Spiritual battle. That is where God directs us and that is where our battle is to be fought. Let's take a wider viewing of the passage from which this text in Ephesians is taken.
    “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:11-18
    One of the main reasons our focus must be on the spiritual, rather than the flesh, is because the “what” relates to the spiritual battle that is being waged and the “who” relates to the battle that is being waged in the flesh. The who, as I stated earlier, is very elusive, changing from generation to generation and even in the midst of a generation by being moved from a position as head of one complicit organization to the head of another, making sure that all organizations maintain their synchronization. Changes in leadership are also necessary if a person should fail to fulfill his/her (usually male) appointed task(s). Seldom do they fail, however, because, for the most part, they are much more dedicated to doing evil than are their enemies - those who claim to represent Christ - are dedicated to fighting agaisnt it. In addition, most of their evil deeds, including the changes in leadership, are done in darkness, secretly, while God's work is accomplished, through his chosen instruments, in the light (out in the open) and are, therefore, easy for them to counteract.

    By focusing on “what" the battle is about, instead of “who” is engaged in the battle, I have a much better chance of maintaining a spiritual perspective and, therefore, to more correctly represent God's approach to overcoming evil and sin. It would be Sin for me to battle against flesh and blood and if I were to be found battling against flesh and blood, it would be a simple matter for those who represent evil to point out that fact and declare my perspective to be less than spiritual. If I were to take up worldly arms against the enemy, I would be in error, because I would be lowering myself to their manner of doing battle. Also, to do so, would be both making myself a target of Satan's wrath and a poor testimony for a loving, forgiving God. I will point out, however, that by focusing on “what” the battle is about, “who” is engaged in the battle against God, is often made clear.

    After having said all this, let me point out a couple of texts that will illuminate this point. The first passage, given earlier (Ephesians 6:11-18). The second is taken from 2Corinthians 10:2-6, where is stated,
    “But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”
    It is difficult for a non-christian to recognize that Christians are not obigated to look at things the same way they do. While we are ALL sinners, who fall short of the Glory of God, Christians (should) desire to have their lives reflect the principles of God and non-christians do not have this desire and it should not be expected of them. God demands it of them, but this work has not been given to us. Our efforts are to be toward godly things — Spiritual things They are not obligated to see things from a Christian perspective and should not be expected to have a Christian view. We are more in error, when we expect them to see things our way than they are in demanding that we see things from their perspective. Simply stated, the above text does not apply to them and they choose not to have it applied.

    Christians, like non-christians, walk in the flesh (not to be confused with walking “after” the flesh). We live in what Paul refers to as a tabernacle (a place in which we live), which is to be put off — to be put off at our death (first death) or, in the case of those who endure and survive unto the coming of our Lord, at the first resurrection. (See 2Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1Corinthians 15:51-57) 2Peter 1:2-14 has much to say about the battle of which we are very much a part, citing,
    “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.”
Allow me to express what this text says to me, point by point.
  1. Grace and peace are multiplied through a knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord (Please see John 17:3, John 5:11 & 12 and 5:19 & 20.) Knowing God, the Father and Jesus, the Christ = Eternal Life. As stated in, Ephesians 3:14-20,
        “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us...”
  2. Gaining a knowledge of God is made possible, because His Divine Power (the Holy Spirit) hath given (gives) us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness.
    • “life” in this text can refer to the life we now live, eternal life or both.


    • all things pertaining to godliness, means all things that will enable us to become godly — things of God. Please see 2Timothy 3:14-17 and consider this:

          Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 48 & 9

      These things pertain to godliness.


  3. It is God's will that we be strengthened — not strengthened to battle against flesh (in any form — even our own flesh), but “by His Spirit, in the inner man.”


  4. It is also God's will that Christ dwell in our hearts by faith. This is, of course, also done by the power of the Holy Spirit, testifying of Jesus and increasing the quality of our faith.


  5. We are to be rooted and grounded in love and, being rooted and grounded in love, we are then, able to comprehend the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.

        When God says “passes knowledge,” he is refering to the fact that unless one IS rooted and grounded in love, they will not be able to gain a knowledge of these things.


  6. The Father would have us to be full of the fulness of God.

        This draws our mind to the fact that, in Christ all the fulness of the Godhead dwelled, as we are told in Colossians 2:6-10.
        “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:...”
        God is in control. Although, at times, it may seem difficult to appreciate the fact, He is the head of all principality and power. There is no earthly power that instructs Him or determines, for Him, how things are done or how they are going to be done. He has already determined how prophecies are going to be fulfilled, for instance. This is not because He has written a script and everyone must just read their lines on cue, but rather, it means that He knows the end from the beginning and how things are going to play out. Each of us have a part to play, but we, ourselves, determine what part we play. God knows, however, how we are going to react to the world around us and whether (or not) we are going to submit ourselves to His will.


  7. God's exceeding great and preceious promises are the basis for our faith. W must have faith in His promise, or there is no assurance of His ability to protect us from deception, nothing upon which to build our confidence and no certainty of eternal life. If we lay aside ANY of His promises, we do so at great risk. In addition, we will also doubt that He can enable us to becone partakers of the divine nature. Escaping “the corruption that is in the world through lust” is, therefore, is a prerequisite to becoming partakers of the divine nature.
  8. And, in addition, we must be very diligent in:

    • More to come, last updated 2/21/2008
    “This charge I commit unto thee, son TIM, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” 1Timothy 1:18 & 19

Return to Home Page

    If you would like to comment on this article, please contact the Webmaster.