The Triumphant Church11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may
be able to STAND against the wiles of the devil.
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 [wicked
spirits] in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of
God, that ye may be able to WITHSTAND in the
evil day, and having done all, TO STAND.
14 STAND therefore, having your loins girt
about with truth, and having on the breastplate
of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Wrestling denotes strenuous effort, doesn't it?
According to these scriptures, we do "wrestle" against
the devil; we do have the devil to deal with in life. But
read that verse of Scripture in context with the whole
counsel of God's Word—that Jesus defeated Satan for
us and redeemed us from Satan's dominion.
Well, does the scriptural word for "wrestling" mean
war? No, certainly not. There is a vast difference
between wrestling and warring. If you've ever seen a
wrestling match, you know there is a vast difference
between wrestling and fighting a war.
One of the meanings of the word "wrestle" in W. E.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words is to
sway. If we will let him, the enemy will come against us
and try to sway us and get us out of faith and into doubt