31 May 2026
FIGHTING AGAINST THE RULERS OF DARKNESS
(Spiritual Warfare: SW 06)
Notice the third category of demonic hierarchy we are battling with in Eph.6:12: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities (rulers), against powers (authorities), against the rulers (powers) of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness (spiritual forces of evil) in the heavenly places (realms)”. We are fighting against the “rulers or powers of the darkness of this age”. “Darkness” here has several connotations.
Firstly, it is the opposite of light, which means enlightenment or knowledge. The opposite is ignorance or absence of true knowledge. Ignorance makes people superstitious and makes them believe or fear the “elements” of this world. Cultural and social “taboos” usually have roots in such ignorance. The spiritual “rulers of darkness” (powerful evil spirits) keep people in ignorance and fear so that they will not come to know the Truth and the True and Living God.
Secondly, darkness can also refer to “the deeds of darkness” described in the Word of God as “orgies, witchcraft, immorality, crimes, murders, terrorism, etc.” Such deeds tear down the social fabric and cause chaos and misery to society. People involved in such things are enslaved by them, as our Lord said, “He who commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34). The devil and his cohort (“the rulers of the darkness”) trap people in their nets of evil habits and deeds from which they cannot be freed. Only Jesus can set them free (John 8:36).
Thirdly, darkness in the spiritual sense always refers to evil in general and perpetrators of evil, who are actually demonic spirits. Hence in the Lord’s Prayer we are asked to pray: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matt.6:13). Evil seeks to harm all good people and especially God’s children. Sorcery, witchcraft and the black arts, etc., are part of this evil which the Word of God forbids God’s people to be involved in. The rulers of darkness enslave people involved in these and keep them under the bondage of fear and dark spiritual imprisonment.
Lastly, darkness can refer to dark and evil spiritual forces in the “kingdom of darkness” under Satan. “The darkness of this age or world” would refer to the spiritual underworld manned and controlled by evil forces which captivate people (innocent or otherwise) in their activities. All the roots of evil and evil practices would originate from this dark world. The result is fear and darkness in the worship of evil spirits and false gods or false religions.
In the preaching of the Gospel and ministering to people, we must be aware that “we are not fighting against flesh and blood”. Intellectualism, education and social reforms, etc. will not be able to overcome them and set people free from such bondages. We need a greater and higher spiritual power to counteract and overcome them. The Holy Spirit is that Divine Power that will overcome them, for “greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Hence the Lord Jesus said, “If I cast out demons by the Holy Spirit, then the Kingdom of God has come” (Matt.12:28). Praise be to God!
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