Because we do not wrestle facing blood and flesh, but facing the principalities, facing the authorities, facing the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, facing spiritual malignant evil in the heavens (Ephesians 6:12).
Our battle with Satan is not a physical one; it takes place in the realm of the mind. He seeks to persuade us through his methodologies, aiming to hinder us from living out who we are in Christ. At times, he even attempts to manipulate our thinking so that we believe we are doing God’s will, when in reality, we are ensnared and taken captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26). Therefore, the armor of God is not imaginary—as though we are to put on fictitious armor—but represents the mental process we engage in to defend our minds against attacks from Satan or his demons.
The principalities, authorities, and strong of this world are demons in positions of authority within the world system that Satan has established. These beings seek to spread their corrupt ways. The doctrines of demons involve using the methods of the world to appear righteous—such as “Do not taste, do not touch, do not handle” (1 Timothy 4:1–4). They promote Old Testament practices and worldly ordinances as if they are means of attaining righteousness (Galatians 4:8–10).
Since Christ is now exalted above the principalities and authorities, we have victory over them in Him (Ephesians 1:21; Colossians 2:15). Therefore, we have no reason to fear them. Rather, through the strength of Christ’s might, we are able to overcome their attacks—maintaining a proper frame of mind that is fixed on the truth and standing firm.