Note 5 at Eph. 6:12: Paul makes it very clear that our warfare is not against people, but against the spiritual powers that operate behind the scenes through people. Therefore, we can not win a spiritual battle with carnal weapons. We must realize who the real enemy is and fight with the spiritual weapons the Lord has given us (see notes 8 and 9 at 2 Cor. 10:4-5, p. 1029).

We often think that anger will put a person in his place. But "the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God" (Jas. 1:20). Anger against people makes us play right into the hand of the devil. The way to overcome the spiritual powers that come against us through people is to turn the other cheek (Mt. 5:39). That makes the demons flee in terror.

Our natural tendency when we are poor is to hoard or even steal. But we are not engaged in a physical battle. Through giving when we are in need, we frustrate all Satan's plans and loose the power of God on our behalf.

Note 6 at Eph. 6:12: There are four ranks of Satan's hierarchy mentioned in this verse. "Principalities" seem to be the rulers in Satan's hierarchy. The Greek word used for "principality" in this verse is "ARCHE," and may possibly be referring to fallen archangels. One archangel that is mentioned in scripture is Michael, who is referred to in Daniel 10:13 as being one of the chief rulers. Angels of this type many times seem to have a ministry over the affairs of whole nations.

The fourth rank mentioned, and the most frequently engaged enemy with which we deal, is referred to as "spiritual wickedness in high places" or "wicked spirits in the earth's atmosphere." The purpose of these spirits is to work against and destroy all that is of Jesus Christ. They do this in the following ways: 1) by hindering God's work (1 Th. 2:17-18; Acts 17:1-9; Lk. 4:5-6; Rev. 2:10); 2) blinding men's minds (2 Cor. 4:4); 3) beguiling, misleading, and deceiving men (2 Cor. 11:3); 4) tempting mankind (1 Cor. 7:5); 5) buffeting God's people (2 Cor. 12:7); 6) tempting to corrupt and infiltrate the Church of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 11:15; 1 Tim. 4:1).

It is supposed by many that the higher echelons of the devil's spiritual authority take more power to rebuke or remove. That's not true. There is no demonic power, including the devil himself, that will not flee at the name of Jesus when faith is put in that name (see note 4 at Mt. 17:21, p. 272).

In recent years, there has also been a misapplication of this verse that has led some to believe the only way you can do battle against this "spiritual wickedness in high places" was to climb tall mountains or buildings or even rent airplanes and intercede from these heights. That is ridiculous and voids the very context of this verse. We can't fight spiritual forces in physical ways. Our intercession will work on any demonic power from right where we are.