This physical life provides many variables that cause us to continually deal with complications. There are times when life is a real struggle, even for those of us who seek to know God’s will and ways. While we are able to solve some problems, we still struggle with many difficulties.
It is often believed that a lot of our struggles are with contrary spiritual forces, as though we are victims of a Satan or the devil and his minions. One Bible passage is often quoted to support the idea; “We wrestle (struggle) not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers… against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (a) [see endnotes for Scriptures]
You may be surprised as I was to learn our translations hide the real meaning of this biblical verse. When we examine the Greek of Scripture, we discover what creates most of our struggles.
Principalities or Beginnings
The word “principalities” in the above verse comes from the Greek arche´ which means ‘beginning.’ This Greek word appears in the New Testament 56 times. The KJV translates it as ‘beginning’ 40 times and the NASB 37 times. A few examples where arche´ is translated correctly can be helpful:
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“From the beginning (arche´) of creation, God made.” (b)
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“In the beginning (arche´) was the Word…was in the beginning (arche´) with God.” (c)
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“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning (arche´) and the end.” (d)
Why was arche´ altered by translators to indicate spiritual forces? Since this word appears first in our list of struggles, it sets a tone for the next factors. Translators figured that if our struggle is really with our beginnings, it would undermine the new doctrines that were promoted over the previous 1000 years when Scripture was not available to the public. So, they decided it was better to hide this truth.
The Scriptural passage we are examining actually wants us to understand that most of our struggles in life come from our beginnings; the things we learned early in life. As new insight and our experience contrasts those first perceptions and beliefs, we struggle because they were supposed to be true.
We are not victims of spiritual forces and dominions that are beyond us. It is our first beliefs that tend to function in us as swaying authorities; “powers, rulers, and spiritual wickedness in high places.” As fresh light appears, we struggle because of what we currently believe. Can it really be true?
This revealing insight is not intended to dispel the existence of evil spirits or bad angels. We just want to realize that most of our struggles are not with spiritual beings that are beyond us. While we cannot change our beginnings, we can struggle less by adjusting and refocusing what we believe.
While we cannot change our beginnings, we can struggle less by adjusting and refocusing what we believe.
Foundational Causes
God sees the bigger picture and is not a God of confusion! We are the ones that are confused, often insisting “I will believe such-and-such because so-and-so said it is true.” God wants us to hear Him for ourselves and realize He can give us insightful direction about each of our particular situations.
Many of the first things we learn can be good and appropriate for our life and times. However, some of what we were taught to believe or have experienced can play a huge role in keeping us from perceiving, receiving, and responding to what God is currently saying, revealing, and doing.
Look at where most of our beginnings come from. We can identify three primary sources:
- The perceptions of control and fear received in the Garden of Eden when God was ignored.
- The cultural environment we were raised in and the examples we observed in our family.
- The concepts and religious ideas our educators taught us to be true and real.
Adam and Eve are examples of a 
beginning and its captivating results. As God came to interact with them, they fearfully hid, covered-up, and made excuses. If they had repented and desired to change, the fellowship they were losing would have been restored. Ignoring His guidance allowed a dreadful fear of God to form in their conscious awareness. Fear still complicates much of our lives today. (e)
When the Eternal One spoke to the people He delivered at Mount Sinai, everyone heard His words. (f) Since they believed this was impossible, they refused to experience it again. (g) Throughout history people have struggled with hearing from God because they believe it is only for special people.
Here is the good news: Jesus came to clarify and simplify the issue. The presence of God is always inspiring and offering personal insight, we just need to be open to receive it. (h) While we believe the Bible is very insightful, each of us can personally sense God’s guiding insight for ourselves. (i)
The presence of God is always inspiring and offering personal insight, we just need to be open to receive it.
Captivating or Transforming
The early ideas and teachings we have accepted and believe to be true can be as captivating “high places” that exercise a great influence over our attitudes and actions. This is why we are encouraged to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (j) What we currently believe to be true can keep us from accepting the fresh insight that can ease our struggles and help improve our behavior.
When Israel of old was delivered from Egypt, they struggled with what they were taught in slavery. The short trip to the productive promises became forty years (a generational lifetime) and they died in the desert. (k) Beginnings kept that generation from entering the productive salvation God provided.
The Disciples also struggled with their beginnings. They were taught the Messiah would come and forcefully deliver them from their enemies, so they expected a warring deliverer. This is why Judas betrayed Jesus. He thought Jesus would be compelled to show his hand and forcefully deliver them from Roman rule. When it did not happen, Judas was so distraught that he hanged himself. (l)
Jesus spoke about the limitations of the disciple’s beginnings: “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (m) Our God of light and love wants to be the primary influence in our lives. He never even indicated He would rule as an overlord and declare “do this or else.”
We struggle today with some of the same perceptions of ancient Israel and Jewish teachings that God’s Kingdom comes in militant ways rather than in our transforming interactions. (n) The Apostle Paul encourages us to “put away” our beginnings and early perceptions as childish and immature. (o)
Jesus clearly taught the Kingdom reign of God comes to encourage us to change the way we think, believe, and act. Many struggles are resolved when we are open to sense what God is sharing today. Our life today is quite different from yesterday and each of our problems are not exactly like others.
Let’s be flexible and receive what God is revealing, even if it disagrees with what we have believed.
Our God of light and love wants to be the primary influence in our lives.
a) Ephesians 6:10-12 KJV; b) Mark 10:6; c) John 1:1-2; d) Revelation 22:13; e) Genesis 3:8-10; f) Deuteronomy 5:22-24; g) Exodus 20:19; Hebrews 12:19; h) Luke 9:35-36; John 16:23-25; i) Matthew 6:6, 9-10; j) Romans 12:2; k) Exodus 16:3; Numbers 13:3-4; l) Matthew 27:1-5; m) John 16:12; n) Luke 17:20-21; o) 1 Corinthians 13:11-12; 2 Corinthians 3:15-18
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder