Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. (Ephesians 6:11-12)
Christians often exhaust themselves by putting too much energy into the wrong battles. They fight people who attack them, use them, or try to keep them from succeeding, but warring against people won’t accomplish long-term results because our enemy is not flesh and blood.
People who try to hurt you or trip you up are being used by the devil. They are his puppets; so, if you want victory, you need to attack the puppet master. That’s what Paul told us in Ephesians 6:11-12: we shouldn’t wrestle against flesh and blood. I believe those words of instruction apply to fighting anyone about anything, but they would also include arguing with a person because of their skin color.
You are not called to wrestle against your in-laws, white folk, black folk, red folk, yellow folk, brown folk, rich folk, or poor folk. That’s all flesh and blood. That’s not where the actual battle is. Paul described the real enemy as four classifications of demonic spirits: principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. The lowest class is principalities, and the highest is the spiritual wickedness in high places.
We must fight against demonic forces at work in our world. The word against in the Greek is pros, which means face to face. In other words, don’t turn your back on them, and don’t make someone else fight them. You need to get in the enemy's and his forces’ face and intimidate them. Demand that they come in line with God’s Word by using your authority in the name of Jesus.
Practical Application
When people are getting on your nerves, or when you feel you are being attacked, realize that people are being used and manipulated by the enemy. Pray for them to be set free and don’t fight back at someone who is just a puppet.