The Spiritual Mafia - The Agents of Chaos | Spiritual Warfare Part IV

#spiritualwarfare #armorofgod #mafia

In Ephesians 6:12 Paul introduces the spiritual mafia, the forces of chaos.

You cannot negotiate with the enemy of your soul. Stop compromising and making peace with him. All he understands is violence.

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 heavens.

The terminology Paul uses here for these spirits is suggestive of hierarchy in the demonic realm.

The spiritual battle is against the spiritual mafia.

The cosmic rulers of darkness are in conflict with the God of light.

In this study we will explore this fascinating verse and seek to flesh out its meaning.

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Select sources:

Arnold, Clinton E. Ephesians (ZECNT). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010

Aune, David E. “Archon.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Barth, Markus. Ephesians (AB). 2 vols. Garden City: Doubleday, 1974

Betz, Hans D. “Authorities.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Cohick, Lynn H. The Letter to the Ephesians (NICNT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2020

CSB Tony Evans Study Bible. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers 2019

Breshears, Gerry. “Spiritual Warfare.” Biblical Training Academy. BiblicalTraining.org/learn/academy/th251-spiritual-warfare

Feldmeier, R,. “World Rulers.” In Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter W. van der Horst eds. Brill, 1995. Second edition, 1998.

Hoehner, Harold. Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002

Ramirez, John. Armed and Dangerous: The Ultimate Battle Plan for Targeting and Defeating the Enemy. Chosen Books. 2017

Ramirez, John. Fire Prayers: Building Arsenals that Destroy Satanic Kingdoms. Charisma House. 2023.

TESTUDO. https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/roman-army/military-formations-of-ancient-romans/testudo/amp/

Yoder Neufeld, Thomas R. Put on the Armour of God: The Divine Warrior from Isaiah to Ephesians. JSNTSup vol 140. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997