Ephesian 6

In recent years, we see much social unrest in the West. In this unrest underlie many social injustices and evils. Against these problems have many activists and citizens courageously risen to fight. And the Church and fellow Christians actively participate in this fight. The contribution of Christians takes no small part in many campaigns against socioeconomic problems.

But, St Paul reminds Christians of the spiritual reality of Christian battles. He says, “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.” What are these principalities, powers, world rulers and evil spirits? Traditionally, these names are of the classes of angels. And, here, these are the fallen angels, in other words, the angels of Satan.

Is St Paul discussing exorcism? As we read the Ephesians, we realize he is not. The struggles in the Ephesians include all aspects of the Christian faith and moral life. These struggles are not only private and personal but also public and social. And all humanity shares these struggles. What St Paul wants to remind us is that every evil we wrestle with has Satan’s influence and, thus, that we need to combat it as spiritual warfare against this external source of evil. In other words, it will be a mistake if we assume that we can resolve personal and social problems by only human measures such as morality, law and government. As we see in our times, a new morality, new laws, or new forms of government cannot bring true peace to individuals or societies.

One of the premises of secular humanism is that evil originates from the man only. Secular humanism denies the external sources of evil such as Satan and his demons just as it denies God as the source of good. Therefore, secular humanism or practical atheism attempts to design human measures to control evil. But, as St Paul teaches, this attempt is destined to fail, because it ignores reality.

This is why St Paul urges us to be armed with truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the word of God. Only with the spiritual armour of God can we fight the battle.

Let us not forget that Satan wants confusion, unrest, destruction, and eventual annihilation. And we see his attempts everywhere. This generation does not understand moral concepts. Young people cannot believe that truth can exist. Families are deconstructed and reconstructed in perverse ways. The past civilizations are cancelled by today’s taste. As much real as God is, so is Satan. And he diligently works to destroy God’s creation. The war against him is not ours only. It’s God’s. Let us put on his armour of His Spirit.