In a boxing match, two opponents often stand face to face literally throwing jabs at each other until one succumbs. Wrestling however is much more of a constant contact sport. The opponents are using their entire bodies to try and pin the other guy to the mat. An on-line definition of wrestling said…sparring partners who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position. In this type of match you don’t always see your opponent’s face, so you can’t always gauge where their next attack may come from, but you always feel it.
It was the word wrestle that made me think about the battle I’ve been in. About the time I think I have the advantage, I’m flipped over again and must consider my strategy for how to regain the superior position. It’s in this uncomfortable predicament where I most remember the importance of being submissive. Not to my enemy’s attack, but to my heavenly Father’s plan of assurance that I will indeed be successful to overcome the opponent.
Eph 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
I used to be a pretty good wrestler. While on the school team, we would get wrestler’s tights with the school logo/colors and we would go and compete against other schools that had their own guys in tights with the school colors and logo. Each school had its own Principal overseeing the school and running things.
When we would wrestle against another school run by a Principal, it still boiled down to another student that we are pitted against. We didn’t wrestle the Principal or his administration.
When Jesus walked the earth, he was opposed to the principalities in control of his own country and people. Roman rule promoted the worship of pagan Gods and sinful practices. However, he did not oppose them directly. He is never on record for binding these principalities. He only did deliverance on an individual level. Even when he was offered the principalities by the Devil, he quoted scripture. He was not binding anyone or things.
When Jesus was crucified, he took back the Earth. The same one that Adam was supposed to be a steward in but lost control of the Earth when he disobeyed God and followed the Devil’s advice. This was essentially a contract in the spiritual realm that allowed Satan free reign in the world that was not created for him. Originally, he and his angels were cast out into the 2nd Heaven and were to have no part of the Earth. Adam and mankind had been given the keys to the Earth and life. After Jesus died he descended into Hades to take the captives to heaven and take back the keys to this world. That is why he is known as the “Second Adam”. “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18 NIV).
As for Demons, they don’t belong on Earth and Jesus gives us authority to bind them.
Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” And also look at Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils…”
God cast Demons out into the Second Heaven. The second heaven is the realm that angels pass through in transfer between natural earth and the third heaven where God dwells and all those redeemed in heaven. The second heaven is a realm where evil principalities also reside and operate from. Prophetic people will often be escorted under the protection of the Holy Spirit into the second heaven to observe demonic activity and plans.
If God cast the Demons into the Second Heaven, they are there by his design. He has the authority to deal with them and bind them there. We don’t. We must follow Jesus’ example. He never does this. If we do oppose Principalities, then we are usurping God’s throne, thwarting His plan.
I know this is confusing, but if we oppose God, we break spiritual law(s) and we can invite retaliation from the spiritual realm. The last meeting we went to, “G” admitted that God told him he was too proud and he also mentioned being in the hospital for a life threatening staph infection in his spine. A spontaneous infection in the spine from Staph (Staph Aureus usually lives on the skin is very rarely manifested spontaneously in the body unless there is a wound). When we are proud, we can step on God’s toes without meaning it and oppose principalities that God allows to exist for His purpose until judgment. I am not saying that this is what happened to “G” but it may be. I myself am guilty of opposing principalities in my ignorance, to disastrous effect to my family and finances. Using Jesus’ authority to bind Demons is incredibly powerful, heady stuff. I got too big for my britches and I didn’t know any better. So, the bottom line, just be careful. The spiritual world is a place with many powers greater than you and you don’t have all the information you need to survive there. We can oppose principalities only when they are manifested in individuals – as Jesus’ example teaches us. Just pray God into situations involving principalities, do not directly bind or rebuke anything.
Godspeed –