Yes — it means fighting a spiritual battle against Satan's principalities and powers, not against human beings.
Ephesians 6:12 says believers wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Les Feldick explains that these high places are positions of tremendous power and influence, and that Satan's main activity is in the upper levels of religious leadership. Believers are therefore up against something beyond the normal — spiritual forces with real authority that work to frustrate their lives and keep lost humanity in darkness (Clips 1, 5, 6).
Ephesians 6:12 — This is the verse in question — it defines the believer's wrestling as a fight against spiritual enemies in high places, not against people.
Ephesians 6:12 reads: "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." The verse is explicit: the believer's wrestling is not with human opponents. Paul names four classes of spiritual enemies — principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places — all of which point to a conflict that takes place in the unseen realm. The same Greek word for "power" appears in Matthew 10:1, where the Lord Jesus gave his twelve disciples "power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." That connection shows the kind of spiritual authority in view in Ephesians. Likewise, in 1 Corinthians 12:1 Paul speaks of being ignorant about "spiritual gifts" (the same word root translated "spiritual" in Ephesians 6:12), indicating a whole realm of spiritual reality that believers must understand.
Les Feldick teaches that this is a battle against something "beyond the normal." The high places are not down in the gutter, not on skid row, not among the offscouring of humanity — they are positions of tremendous power and authority (Clip 1). These principalities and powers are Satan's forces: their authority is Satan's authority, and they are positioned and loaded with energy that seemingly never runs out (Clips 3, 5). To understand the Greek terms, Les points to Matthew 10:1, where Jesus gave the twelve disciples power over unclean spirits, and to 1 Corinthians 12:1, where the same word translated "spiritual" refers to the realm of spiritual things — a realm in which the adversary is also active (Clips 2, 4, 7). Finally, Les identifies where this high-place wickedness operates today: the upper levels of religious leadership — the seminaries and the large denominations. Satan, he says, does not need to work on the poor down-and-out person because he already has him, but if he can get the ecclesiastical leaders into his camp, that power funnels down to the average person in the pew (Clip 6). The spiritual conflict is real, but God remains the One who opens hearts and gives understanding (Clip 5).
Les explains that "high places" are not the gutter, skid row, or the offscouring of humanity — they are positions of tremendous power and influence. He points out that Satan's main area of activity is in the upper levels of religious leadership: the seminaries and large denominations. Satan works on ecclesiastical leaders so that their power and influence funnel down to the average person in the pew (Clips 1, 6).
Les teaches that these are Satan's spiritual authorities. He compares the Greek word for "powers" in Ephesians 6:12 to Matthew 10:1, where Jesus gave the twelve disciples power against unclean spirits, to show the meaning of the terms. These powers have authority, and that authority is Satan's; they are positioned and loaded with energy that seemingly never runs out (Clips 3, 4, 5).
Les notes that the Greek word behind "spiritual" in Ephesians 6:12 is basically the same word translated "spirituals" in 1 Corinthians 12:1, where Paul says he does not want believers to be ignorant concerning spiritual things. Les warns that the adversary is also among the spirituals — it is not only the Holy Spirit's power believers encounter, but also the devil's forces (Clips 2, 7).
Rahab's Shocking Faith — How a Harlot Ended Up in Jesus' Genealogy
But now it hasn't been heard much lately. But don't ever lose sight of the fact that when Christ returns, Israel will have the whole Middle East and it won't be desert sand. It's going to be like the Garden of Eden. All right. Now let's go on. Unto thy seed I have given this land from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates.
High Places Are Positions of Power
Les teaches that the "high places" are not the low levels of society — not the gutter, skid row, or outcasts — but positions of tremendous power and influence that believers must recognize as a real threat.
The Spiritual Realm and the Adversary
Les shows that the word "spiritual" in Ephesians 6:12 is the same Greek word translated "spirituals" in 1 Corinthians 12:1, connecting this battle to the whole realm of spiritual things believers must not be ignorant about.
Principalities and Their Position
Les explains that principalities are positions, and the powers are the energy and authority attached to those positions — Satan's spiritual forces are positioned and loaded with energy that seemingly never runs out.
The Greek Word for Power
Les turns to Matthew 10:1, where Jesus gave the twelve disciples power against unclean spirits, to illustrate what Paul means by "principalities and powers" in Ephesians 6:12.
The Authority Behind the Powers
Les teaches that the authority behind these principalities and powers is Satan himself, who works to frustrate believers and keep lost humanity in darkness — and only God can break that power.
Satan Works Through Religious Leadership
Les identifies the "high places" of spiritual wickedness as the upper levels of religious leadership — the seminaries and large denominations — where corrupting the leaders funnels deception down to the average person.
The Adversary Among the Spirituals
Les warns that the adversary is also among the "spirituals," so the spiritual realm believers encounter includes both the Holy Spirit's power and the devil's forces.
Ephesians 6:12: 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.
This is the verse in question — it names the four spiritual enemies believers wrestle against.
Matthew 10:1: And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Les cites this verse to show the meaning of the Greek word "power" used in Ephesians 6:12.
1 Corinthians 12:1: Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you to be ignorant.
Les connects the Greek word behind "spiritual" here with "spiritual wickedness" in Ephesians 6:12.
No. Ephesians 6:12 says believers wrestle "not against flesh and blood" but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Les Feldick stresses that the real conflict is with spiritual forces, not human beings (Clip 1; Ephesians 6:12).
Les teaches that the "high places" are not the gutter, skid row, or the offscouring of humanity — they are positions of tremendous power and influence. He identifies Satan's main activity in the upper levels of religious leadership, such as seminaries and large denominations, where influence funnels down to the pew (Clips 1, 6).
Les says the authority of these spiritual powers is Satan's authority. They are positioned in the realm of Satan and are loaded with energy that seemingly never runs out, working to frustrate believers and keep lost humanity in darkness (Clips 3, 5).
Les notes that the Greek word behind "spiritual" in Ephesians 6:12 is basically the same word translated "spirituals" in 1 Corinthians 12:1. There is more than one kind of spiritual power — the Holy Spirit works, but the adversary is also among the spirituals (Clips 2, 7).
Watch the Teaching: Rahab's Shocking Faith — How a Harlot Ended Up in Jesus' Genealogy