Before examining the components of the Christian's armor, we would be remiss if we did not devote some attention to who it is we are battling in this great conflict. Paul is very explicit in describing the forces that seek our doom and destruction (Eph. 6:12).
At times, children have great fears, dreaming up all sorts of monsters and creatures that horrify them. In our attempts to calm them, we downplay the nightmares, reassuring our children that what they fear right then doesn't even exist. Paul doesn't do this with respect to our spiritual enemies. That would do us no favors. We need to know the enemy and his hellish capabilities.
We battle rulers. These "principalities" are preeminent rulers or princes. They are not hirelings, but forces with great clout. These same beings are listed in other Pauline writings to Christians (Eph. 3:10; Col. 2:14-15; Rom. 8:38). It is these same forces that opposed Christ and were defeated in His death and resurrection. They now seek our doom as His followers.
We fight powers, or authorities who have the right to direct the activities of others. These particular forces are usually found in the same verses that list the first group mentioned.
We contend with world forces of this darkness. These are tyrants, no doubt including Satan himself (Jn. 14:30; 16:11). Though they are "world forces," the context demands we understand them not to be humans. They are spiritual in nature (v. 12a).
We war against spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places. In this we see our foes as a collective host of evil that dwell in the spiritual realm. They try to entice the righteous to turn from godliness to evil. The "heavenly places" have both good (Eph. 1:3) and evil (Eph. 6:12).
We are not battling a man, however strong he may be. We aren't even fighting a confederation of men. Our battle is with a cunning spiritual enemy and all his evil allies. We can "resist in the evil day", "standing firm" (v. 13). We will only do so through God's gracious provision...the armor He provides for us. That will be what we examine next.
