How You Wrestle Against Levels of Devils and Win

Paul, in Ephesians 6:12, what’s us to know that we wrestle not with people. It’s not with flesh and blood, but with levels of devils. He likens this conflict to a wrestling match. If you have ever seen a wrestling match, you know it is not pretty. It is sweaty, dirty, and painful. When you wrestle, you get down and get dirty. There is no half-hearted involvement. You give it everything you’ve got, or you lose. Anthony T. Evans wrote: “I know a bit about wrestling because my brother, Arthur, was the Maryland state wrestling champion in his weight class. At his championship match, my brother weighed in at about 230 pounds and was going up against the three-time Maryland state champion, who outweighed him by 35 pounds. Before the match, a reporter asked, ‘Who is the toughest wrestler in this room?’ “My brother, humble fellow that he is, said, ‘You are looking at him!’ “The reporter looked at him and asked, ‘What makes you think you are so tough? You are about to fight the man who has won the state championship three times in a row.’ “My brother replied with a very insightful comment, ‘I know. He is bigger and perhaps stronger than I am, but I know his methods.’ “We are in a similar fight against Satan. Just as my brother needed to learn his opponent’s moves, we need to understand Satan’s moves. We need to know how he operates so that we can prepare ourselves ‘to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm’ (Eph. 6:13). No place in Scripture reveals Satan’s schemes better than Genesis 3, which records Satan’s initial contact with man. As the story unfolds, we clearly see Satan’s strategy to ruin the human race.”¹. We are talking about the whole armor of God today: “How You Wrestle Against Levels of Devils and Win” all on this week’s Light on Life.

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We are currently teaching in the book of Ephesians. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

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Emery committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ over 45 years ago and has served as both a full-time pastor and an itinerant minister. He and his wife Sharon of 40 years emphasize personal growth and development through the Word of God. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is the focus and the hallmark of their mission. Read more about them here.

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Podcast Notes

Wrestling Against Levels of Devils: What It Means?

Let’s start with Ephesians six and verse eleven.
We are going to read the context down to verse twenty.

Ephesians 6:11–20 (ESV): — 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

We are in verse twelve and Paul introduces the word wrestle in relation to the struggle believers engage in with levels of devils.
What does the phrase levels of devils mean?
Paul gives the kind of enemy that we are in conflict with.
He says there exists rulers that we wrestle against and authorities that we struggle against, and there are cosmic powers over this present darkness and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
This list of four is in ascending order.
Those listed as ‘authorities’ are the lowest level of opponents.
The spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places are the highest.
These four represent levels of devils in the real world in which we live.

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: Mixture of Cultures

The word we are homing in on is the word wrestle.
Paul uses this word from the Greek Olympics, and isn’t that telling?
The armor he describes is Roman. –
The engagement with the enemy is Greek.
Hey, Paul, can we keep the cultures straight?
And, with that thought, here is the Historical Background of the Day.

In the word “wrestle,” Paul uses a Greek athletic term. Thayer defines as follows: “a contest between two in which each endeavors to throw the other, and which is decided when the victor is able to press and hold down his prostrate antagonist, namely, hold him down with his hand upon his neck.” When we consider that the loser in a Greek wrestling contest had his eyes gouged out with resulting blindness for the rest of his days, we can form some conception of the Ephesian Greek’s reaction to Paul’s illustration. The Christian’s wrestling against the powers of darkness is no less desperate and fateful. The literal Greek is, “Our wrestling is not against blood and flesh.” The Greek reverses the order.².

So, what we have here is Roman armor that a Jesus follower uses to wrestle Greek style.
And, with that thought entrenched, here is the Definition of the Day.
The Greek word wrestle means to struggle.
Wrestling means an engagement in a challenging contest.
Now there’s an article in Greek – meaning the word ‘the’ is part of the text and goes with this word wrestle.
So instead of ‘we wrestle not,’ we could translate this as ‘we, the wrestle not.’
It sounds weird in English — that’s why translators leave the word ‘the’ out.
In your thinking, it’s ‘the wrestle’ or ‘the struggle.’
Believers don’t do ‘the struggle against flesh and blood.
We do ‘the struggle’ against alien entities.
Wrestling implies close contact and hand-to-hand fighting.
Get it now, we put our clothing on — our Roman armor — once and for all, and we are engaged in ‘the wrestle’; ‘the struggle’ hand to hand style.
What’s the struggle about? — it’s about standing.
Do you remember — Having done all to stand — stand?
Having wrestled hand to hand up close, these devils are trying to take you down to the ground, pin you, and gouge your eyes out.
Really, it’s about making your authority in Christ ineffective.
Listen to this verse.

Luke 10:19 (ESV) — 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

You can’t use your feet to tread on these levels of devils if you are on the ground.
Do you remember in Ephesians that Jesus is the head of the body, the Church and that He put all things and beings under His feet?
If He is the head and believers are the body, and the feet are in the body, then we are supposed to exercise authority over Satan, devils, and demons.
How can we do that and use our feet to tread on serpents and scorpions if we have been pulled down to the ground?
Having done all to stand — stand.
Take your stand and don’t allow the enemy to wrestle you off it down to the ground.
This happens again and again.
People get attacked and they take a faith stand.
The enemy comes with doubt — the wrestling match is on.
What happens?
They fold like a house of cards folks.
The fight is in the standing.
Having done all to stand — stand.

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: Help to Stand

What helps you with ‘the wrestling?’
Is there any aid with ‘the struggle?’

Know Your Enemy Has Already Lost

What helps is knowing that our enemy is already defeated and under our feet.
We learned that in the later part of Ephesians one and the front part of chapter two.
So, we are wrestling with a foe who has lost his wrestling match with the Great One — the Lord Jesus Christ pinned Satan and made him cry, uncle.
We are engaged in ‘the struggle’ with someone we know is headed to the bottomless pit.
These levels of devils lost the battle.
They’ve been soundly defeated and humiliated.
We are fighting against a foe who limps — remember that.

Know Your Enemy Is Very Afraid of You

This foe is more scared of you than he would care to admit.

James 2:19 (ESV): You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Spirits are so fearful of the Name that James 2:19 says demons “tremble” when in the presence of faith and Jesus’ Name.
Let’s look at the word tremble.

The word “tremble” is the Greek word phrisso, which means to bristle, as when the hairs stand up on a person’s neck when he is “spooked” or startled by an unexpected noise, etc. This means that even though demons may have intelligence to speak and power to be able to put forth superhuman strength, none of that helps them when they find themselves in the presence of a believer exercising his authority by faith in the name of Jesus. That prospect sends them into shock, panic, and dismay. Figuratively, it causes the hair to stand up on their necks. It terrifies them!³

All levels of devils fear the Jesus in you.
Just know that’s so.
It will help you deal with the enemy’s tactics.

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: A Scriptural Example

We have a significant example of all that Paul talked about over these ten verses in Ephesians six.

Daniel 10:10–21 (ESV): And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” 15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. 16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.” 18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.

So, here’s Daniel — he’s praying about his people.
They are in captivity.
Daniel doesn’t understand why there’s a delay.
What does he do?
Well, he keeps standing.
If you try to fight these spiritual battles like some people attend church, you are going to get your face beat off.
You have to stay with it.
Daniel hung in there until the answer came.
But why was there a delay?

Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

That’s verse twelve again — you see, there wasn’t a delay from God’s standpoint.
He sent the answer on the first day.
But, the answer didn’t get to Daniel on the first day — it didn’t arrive on planet earth even though it was sent.
Why?

13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,

You see, there was unseen resistance.
But, Daniel didn’t know it and you know what? — you will not know it either.
What do you do when you don’t know? — when there seems to be a delay — when the heavens seem heavy with brass; when there is no word from God in your spirit?
Having done all to stand — stand.
Welcome to — we wrestle not with flesh and blood but against levels of devils.
Welcome to the ‘struggle.’
Daniel stayed in prayer for three weeks over this deal.
And then came the ‘spirit of wisdom and revelation’ from heaven, Ephesians one, sixteen to twenty-three style.
And he no doubt was thankful that he hung in there and stood.
What would have happened if he quit?
What would have happened if allowed himself to think this was all a bad deal and he had just missed God?
You know, the enemy was trying to get him to think those thoughts and accept them as his own.
That’s part of the ‘the struggle.’
That’s one of the devices of devils.
Now, this Price of Persia bears noting.
This devil is the highest level out of the four that we have already mentioned.

12 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.

The Prince of Persia is not a video game on one of the gaming consoles.
It is one of the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly place – the highest-ranking devil you will ever have to deal with.
Michael himself comes to aid you in ‘the struggle’ against this high-ranking level of evil.
Don’t worry — don’t fret — just stand clothed with your armor and God will do the rest.

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: Another Scriptural Example

Acts 12:1–5 (ESV): — 1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

The word ‘earnest’ is a definition worthy of knowing.
The Greek word pertains to the idea of persevering.
What’s persevering?
Its resoluteness, persistence, determination, resolve, doggedness, tenacity, diligence, and application.
Do you think the idea of ‘having done all to stand’ is reflected in the word perseverance?
That’s what the word ‘earnest’ references.
The Early Church stood, and they kept standing.
They refused to quit or be denied.
And what was the result of believers wrapped in armor and wrestling with this attack against one of their own?

Acts 12:6–12 (ESV): — 6 Now when Herod was about to br OK I need to finding him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

The point here that is tremendous to have in your spiritual data bank is that Peter was free.
He was out of danger — he was out of chains — he was out of jail and walking around.
But, the church was still praying.
They had the answer, and they didn’t even know it.
Can you see the value of standing?
Everything you’ve ever learned about staying with it — about being disciplined — about being faithful comes to bear right here in these engagements.
There is nothing devils can do with a man that refuses to quit — that takes his place and stands.
That kind of bold determination brings the very angels of God to the scene.
One unknown writer said it this way, and with that thought, here is the Quote of the Day.

Only dead fish go with the current.

Taking a determined stand means you often go against the current.
Only live fish can do that — that is, swim up the stream.
Now, this next quote doesn’t fit here perfectly, but I got excited when I found it and I wanted to share my excitement with you.
The quote is from J. Oswald Sanders.

It’s attitude, not arteries, that determines the vitality of our maturing years.

Attitude, not arteries — what is your attitude in dealing with levels of devils?
What is your attitude about ‘the struggle’ and having done all to stand?
Are you a dead fish type with hardened arteries or are you a vibrant Bible-believing Jesus follower who refuses to cave in?
The Early Church prayed, and they continued until they got the job done.
Daniel prayed and followed this same pattern until he received the answer he needed.
They fought levels of devils and stood and God rewarded them for their overcoming.
You can do the same thing because the same God that was them is here now and just as he gave them the victory, so you can receive the same if you will just have done all to stand — stand.

Now Father God in Jesus’ Mighty Name, I ask you to continue to help us to see that we are more than conquerors over all the wiles of the enemy. Thank you for giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. You are so good and your mercies absolutely endure forever. We thank you today for the standing victory that we have in Christ Jesus.

You guys have a great God week and we will see you next time for another edition of Light on Life.

#S2-037: How to Hold On to What You Got [Podcast]

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References:

AMG Bible Illustrations, AMG Publishing ↩
Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament ↩
Unknown ↩

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How You Wrestle Against Levels of Devils and Win

Podcast: Light on Life Season Ten Episode Eight

by Emery Horvath

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Join the Conversation

Episode Resources:

We are currently teaching in the book of Ephesians. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

Subscribe to the Podcast

Share the Love

Podcast Notes

Wrestling Against Levels of Devils: What It Means?

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: Mixture of Cultures

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: Help to Stand

Know Your Enemy Has Already Lost

Know Your Enemy Is Very Afraid of You

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: A Scriptural Example

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: Another Scriptural Example

Listen to the Audio

Click to Listen | Right Click to Download |Subscribe in PlayerFM

Read the Notes

Accept the Challenge

Join the Conversation

Episode Resources:

We are currently teaching in the book of Ephesians. You can click on the links below to listen to some of these podcasts.

About Emery

Subscribe to the Podcast

Share the Love

Podcast Notes

Wrestling Against Levels of Devils: What It Means?

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: Mixture of Cultures

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: Help to Stand

Know Your Enemy Has Already Lost

Know Your Enemy Is Very Afraid of You

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: A Scriptural Example

Wrestling with Levels of Devils: Another Scriptural Example

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