“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
It is important to understand that throughout the Bible, God works through people. From Adam and the prophets to Jesus, the apostles, and us today, we serve as vessels for God’s work on earth (Genesis 2:19, Ezekiel 2:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Acts 2:1-4).
Similarly, Satan uses human beings as his vessels. He bases his lies on opposing the truth of God’s word (Romans 6:16). There is a hierarchy in Satan’s kingdom: first Satan himself, then principalities and powers, followed by demons, and finally, human beings (Ephesians 6:12).
Satan was cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:11). While the heavens rejoice, the earth is warned because the devil has come down filled with fury, knowing his time is short (Revelation 12:12). He fights for control of the world by opposing God and those who serve Him. He uses principalities and powers to control specific areas and carry out his plans (Genesis 1:1, Daniel 10:12-13).
Next are demons, which possess people within families and communities to carry out Satan’s agenda (Revelation 12:17). Human beings are at the bottom of this hierarchy. Satan often hides behind people, demons, and powers because he wants us to fight against each other rather than against him (Ephesians 6:12).
Many believers try to start spiritual warfare by attacking witches or warlocks. This actually helps Satan, as it distracts us with “shadow warfare” against “flesh and blood.” These people are simply vessels for Satan, acting either through demonic possession or their own sinful nature (Acts 16:16, Romans 8:5). We should not focus our fight on people, as their will has often been overtaken by the enemy (Acts 16:16).
Consider the girl with the spirit of divination in the Book of Acts (Acts 16:16-18). She followed Paul for days, shouting about his mission. Paul did not attack the girl; instead, he spoke directly to the spirit, commanding it to leave her in the name of Jesus. Once the spirit left, she stopped (Acts 16:18). This shows that her actions were controlled by the spirit, not her own will. Witches and warlocks are similarly controlled by spirits, such as the spirit of witchcraft or divination (Acts 16:16). Paul dealt with the source of the problem by addressing the spiritual power behind the person (Acts 16:18).
To understand this better, imagine a war between two countries. A head of state (Satan) sends a chief of staff (principalities), weapons (demons), and soldiers (witches or people acting in the flesh) to battle. If you kill a soldier or destroy a weapon, the head of state will simply send more. However, if the head of state is captured or defeated, the war ends. We must stop fighting the “soldiers” and hit the source of the problem.
How do we do this? We must recognise that our victory is already found in Christ (Revelation 12:11). The battle was won at the cross. Jesus appeared specifically to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). He has overcome Satan and holds the keys to death and Hades (Revelation 1:18).
Jesus is the wisdom of God, and through Him, God has reconciled everything to Himself (Colossians 1:20). Satan and his followers have no place in Christ. Therefore, we must stand firm in our victory through Him, for Christ is the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
This post provides an insight into spiritual warfare, but it is not everything. True warfare also involves prayer, fasting, living righteously, and staying close to the Holy Spirit.
I hope this encourages you. 🙏