What does it mean that spiritual wickedness is in high places?
It means the believer’s conflict is not against flesh-and-blood people or merely lowly, gutter-level conditions. The opposing forces are principalities and powers occupying high positions, beyond the normal and possessing tremendous power. Spiritual wickedness in high places therefore describes warfare with elevated, powerful spiritual adversaries.
Les teaches from verse 12 that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” He stresses that this is not down in the gutter, not on skid row, not among the offscouring of humanity, but in high places. That should wake us up, because we are up against something beyond the normal—something up here with tremendous power and position. Les says these powers are in high positions, principalities and powers. He also points to the same Greek word in Matthew 10, where Jesus called His twelve disciples and gave them power, helping show what Paul is driving at when he says we are up against principalities and powers.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Why should the spiritual warfare passage wake us up?
It should awaken us because the conflict is not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. These enemies are beyond the normal, possessing tremendous power and high position, so the battle is not merely human.
Where is spiritual wickedness located according to this teaching?
Spiritual wickedness is located in high places, not down in the gutter, skid row, or among the offscouring of humanity. This teaching stresses these are high positions of tremendous power and authority, and believers are up against something beyond the normal.
More Questions
Why should the truth about spiritual powers in high places wake us up?
The enemy believers face is beyond the normal, has tremendous power, and holds high position, which is why this truth should wake us up.