Day 13 This Fight Is Not What You Think

Ephesians 6:12 – “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.”

If we only fight what we can see, we will lose the battles that actually matter.

Paul didn’t mince words. He saw reality for what it truly was: a cosmic battleground between light and darkness. You and I were born into war. Not just cultural war. Not just political tension or relational conflict. A spiritual war—ancient, invisible, and very real.

We forget this.

We argue with people as if they are the enemy.
We rage against broken systems and point fingers at broken people.
We see opposition and assume the face in front of us is the problem.

But Paul says, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood.”

That person who hurt you? Not the enemy.
That leader who let you down? Still not the enemy.
That person whose worldview grates against everything you believe? Not the enemy.

There are darker forces at play—ancient powers determined to steal, kill, and destroy, hiding behind distraction, division, and deception.

Temptation is one attack strategy of the enemy. Perhaps more dangerous that overt temptations are the subtle distractions. The Satan only needs you to forget where the real fight is raging.

Story time: Jesus and Peter – Get Behind Me

When Peter tried to talk Jesus out of going to the cross, he had the best of intentions. He loved Jesus. He wanted to protect Him. But Jesus’ response wasn’t soft:

“Get behind me, Satan.” (Matthew 16:23)

Jesus wasn’t calling Peter the devil. He was recognizing the voice behind the words—the subtle influence twisting love into fear, trying to pull Him off mission.

Even well-meaning people can speak lies that are rooted in spiritual darkness.

Jesus knew where the true battle was. He didn’t waste time blaming people. He confronted the spirit behind the situation. That’s what we’re called to do.

The Wake-Up Call
This world is not neutral. There’s a story unfolding in the unseen realm—a clash between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. And you’re not a bystander.

You’ve been given Christ.
You’ve been given armor.
You’ve been given spiritual authority.

But if you don’t know who the real enemy is, you’ll waste your life shadowboxing and call it spiritual warfare.

We don’t fight people.
We fight lies.
We fight pride.
We fight spiritual powers that try to make the Gospel seem small, God seem distant, and grace seem earned.

What This Means for Us
You will feel resistance—but it’s not always coming from where you think. Discouragement, distraction, shame, fear—these aren’t just emotional hurdles. They’re spiritual ones. And no strategy of man can fix them.

The solution isn’t self-discipline. It’s spiritual discernment.
The power isn’t in your performance. It’s in your position—in Christ.

So stop swinging at the wrong enemy. You’re fighting a war that’s already been won.

Do Something:
Think about the conflict that’s been draining you lately—internally or relationally. Write it down. Then ask God: “Am I fighting the wrong enemy?”

Pray for clarity. Stand in grace. Suit up in truth.

Because the real enemy trembles when the people of God stop fighting each other and start fighting on their knees.