While it is impossible to reduce Ephesians to a single theological theme, the most prominent interest developed by Paul that threads the entire letter is the unfolding spiritual conflict between good and evil. But the battle is not simply God versus evil, or angels versus demons. God recruits His church to the frontlines, enlisting His people into the cosmic conflict against every “rule and authority and power and dominion” that exalts itself against Christ. The church is an active participant in dethroning the god of this world. But this invites further questions. How exactly does the church engage in spiritual warfare? More specifically, what relationship exists between the overarching theme of spiritual warfare and Paul’s discourse on the gifts Christ gives His church in Eph 4:8–16?
Paul writes under the inspiration of the Spirit: “He who descended is the one who also ascended far above the heavens, that He might fill all things. And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God…” (Eph 4:10–13). The gist of Paul’s argument here is that Christ, having descended and defeated the power of sin and death, has now ascended to the heavenlies and sits in a place of authority over the entire created order (Eph 4:8–10; see also Eph 1:20–23). Paul continues by stating that Christ executes this authority in the heavenlies by calling and empowering His people with spiritual gifts. The resurrection leads to the ascension, and the ascension leads to birth of the church and its attendant gifts (weapons). Spiritual warfare is not some ethereal practice where we march in circles and shout down principalities (although some charismatic groups do this). Spiritual warfare is accomplished by enacting the gifts Christ has given His church. We wage war when we preach the gospel, intercede for others, teach doctrine, disciple others to obey the commands of Christ, break the bread of Communion, cast out demons, heal the sick, prophesy a timely word to the hurting, and so on. Spiritual warfare is far less mystical than many make it out to be (although it is also far more real than many make it out to be)—on the most basic level, we battle when we discern our gifts and use them for the kingdom.
When a believer operates in their spiritual gifting, they participate in cosmic warfare. Some people are surprised that when they begin praying for others or walking in their gifts, spiritual attacks against them seem to increase substantially. Yet if a believer is caught off guard, it likely reveals they did not fully understand the magnitude of what they were engaging in. What else should we expect to happen when we wade into the cosmic arena? These dark principalities and forces will not go down without a fight. The kingdom of God grows through spiritual conflict, and we have a role to play in the expansion and prevailing of Christ’s rule. This is not good news for those lulled to sleep by consumer Christianity, but it remains an encouraging word for those who sense that their purpose exists beyond themselves.
