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A Change of Allegiance  /  Chapter 12, My Defender is God  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 7
Dean says Ephesians 6 doesn’t merely say “we wrestle not” but insists “we do indeed wrestle” against spiritual powers; how would early Christians—who lacked political influence and military power—have understood “wrestling,” and what kind of courage would that have required?
Another way to ask: Dean says Christians really do “wrestle” against spiritual powers. If early Christians had little political or military power, what do you think “wrestling” meant to them, and what kind of courage did it take?

Direct Answer The transcript implies early Christians would have understood “wrestling” as active spiritual combat—standing guard, praying, resisting temptation, and advancing the gospel—rather than using state power or violence. That would require courage to engage a real battle while remaining “unarmed” in worldly terms.

Support from Transcript:

  • Dean highlights Ephesians 6: it doesn’t stop at “we wrestle not,” but says “we do indeed wrestle…against…rulers of the darkness…spiritual wickedness.”
  • He connects this to putting on spiritual armor: “shield of faith…helmet of salvation…feet shod with the gospel of peace…taking every thought captive.”
  • He insists the conflict is real, not symbolic: Christians must “participate in this battle.”
  • He contrasts worldly and Christian warfare via 2 Corinthians 10: “we do not war after the flesh…the weapons…are not carnal.”
  • Tertullian is used as an early church voice: prayer is “her arms and missiles…so never walk we unarmed…by night of vigil.”
Discussion Follow-ups What would it take to believe prayer is real warfare, not religious talk? Where do you avoid “wrestling” because it feels invisible or slow?

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