Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” 

We must know our enemy, and our enemy is not flesh and blood, but Satan and his kingdom. The devil’s kingdom and plan is orderly. That is part of the reason why Jesus made reference to Satan’s kingdom when discussing that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25-26). If his kingdom is divided, it will fall and not prosper. He comes in unity and with a conniving plan. He seeks to attack and destroy your potential by killing your now! Hold onto faith in God! There are four levels of Satan’s kingdom, which include principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

Principalities are the chief rulers of Satan’s kingdom that rests over nations or broader areas. If we were to put it in illustrative form, it would be like the President, world leaders or leaders over nations. They are the top of the food chain. What they say happens in a blink of an eye. They send out the messengers to accomplish their goals. Instead of gossiping and slandering people and those in authority, we are to stand in the gap and pray for them. We must pray against those principalities of Satan’s kingdom of occultism that is fighting against America. Intercession and standing on the truth in God’s armor are the keys to tearing town principalities that rest over regions.

 

Powers are the strongholds that rest over a city or home. They are like the judges. In America, judges do not create the law, but they interpret it. If you break the law, a judge is who you see, and they will more than likely determine your fate. The powers of Satan’s kingdom seeks to destroy and determine our future. They desire to blind us to where certain sin can lead, and they attempt to speak death to our purpose. Instead of allowing sin, sickness and people to dictate and control us like puppets, we need to cut loose those strings that have been attached to our lives and pray against the powers that blind so many people with lies and deceit. If you have the whole armor of God on, you will be enlightened to the truth with discernment and anointing!

 

The rulers of the darkness of this world are the spiritual rulers of hell, which is one’s eternal destination through the pleasures of sin. They are like the Congressman, the rulers of Washington, D.C., who vote and decide what they want to pass as the law. There are devils who are loose that seek to only bind people. They lie, deceive and bring much confusion, binding people with vain religion and regulations. Their whole mission is to lay out a pathway that leads people to eternal darkness in hell. Matthew 16:18 says, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The church is built upon the rock of Jesus Christ, as long as we stand firmly rooted and grounded in His name, then even hell’s gates cannot stand against us. The rulers of the darkness of this world would love for us to play his game and make up his rules so that we can die lost and be in hell forever, but today there is life and hope, and it is in Jesus Christ!

 

Finally, spiritual wickedness in high places are demons that war in the spirit realm over one’s life and are magnified through sin. They are devils who are masked as false gods and are glorified through our actions. They are like today’s police force. They do not design the law, but they know it and arrest those who break it. When you make some noise for God, spiritual wickedness in high, or heavenly, places would love to arrest your faith in the LORD! Once you start treading on the devil’s territory, spiritual wickedness will bring opposition, but you cannot allow your faith to weaken, but rather stand in the authority of God and His Word!

 

Colossians 1:16 says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” God created and established authority, and it is our duty to submit to the authority He has placed over us. Whether we agree or disagree with our government, we are to pray for them and honor them the best we can. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 says, “1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.” We are to pray for the salvation of those in authority, for Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” However, people have given the devil established authority over their lives, to rule in dominion and power, and that is not how it is to be. Every demonic force and stronghold was conquered when Jesus went to the cross, and we are to utilize that authority today. Colossians 2:13-15 says, “13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Jesus Christ spoiled every level of Satan’s Kingdom when he died, took the keys of death, hell and the grave and resurrected on the third day. We, as Christians, now have power to be in authority over every work of darkness! All we need is to be strong in the LORD, and put on God’s armor!