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Many see this word as a form of cosmic battles and activity. But before I talk about this let me say that the cross disarmed such authorities.

The cross destroyed the effectiveness and powers of the law. It also destroyed what held us. It destroyed the rulers’ authority over us.

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh THE LAW with its COMMANDS AND REGULATIONS. (Ephesians 2:14-15)

What was the purpose of this;

His purpose was to create in himself one NEW HUMANITY out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. (Ephesians 2:16)

The purpose is to make HUMANITY a new Creation. It was the cross were we are all new Creations. It is not your faith that made you a new Creation. It is the Cross of JESUS CHRIST.

Notice, Paul attributes the law to being a demolishing of powers and principalities.

having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Colossians 2:14-15)

Through the Cross, all humanity was reconciled to God. Whether in heaven or on earth. Destroying any form of powers and principalities.

What I want to draw your attention to is the term ” powers and principalities”.

Many times we equate this terms to mean or been some “demonic attacks/influrence”. But these words does not mean that at all.

Colossian 2:14-15 gives a clear use or meaning of the words. It means authorities. The Jewish authorities during the time of Jesus and the apostles.

Another use of this terms “principalities and powers” is in Ephesians and Romans.
Let take a look at it.

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that G2443 now G3568 unto the principalities G746 and G2532 powers G1849 in G1722 heavenly G2032 places might be known G1107 by G1223 the church G1577 the manifold G4182 wisdom G4678 of God, G2316

Ephesians 6:12 For G3754 we G2254 wrestle G3823 not G3756 against G2076 * G4314  flesh G4561 and G2532 blood, G129 but G235 against G4314 principalities, G746 against G4314 powers, G1849 against G4314 the rulers G2888 of the darkness G4655 of this G5127 world, G165 against G4314 spiritual G4152 wickedness G4189 in G1722 high G2032 places

Both terms uses the have the same root words in both verse. What is their meaning.

Powers means;
Greek: ἐξουσία
Transliteration: exousia
Pronunciation: ex-oo-see’-ah
Definition: From G1832 (in the sense of ability);
privilege that is (subjectively) force capacity 6
competency freedom or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate superhuman 6
potentate token of control) delegated influence: – authority jurisdiction liberty power right strength.

Principalities means;
Greek: ἀρχή
Transliteration: archē
Pronunciation: ar-khay’
Definition: From G756; (properly abstract) a commencement or (concrete) chief (in various applications of order time place or rank): – beginning corner (at the the) first (estate) magistrate power principality principle rule.

It was the same term used in Romans 8:38. It has nothing to do with demonic activity.

If it was about demonic activity, why did Paul tell Titus to obey or tell the saints to obey them.

Titus 3:1 Put G5279 them G846 in mind G5279 to be subject G5293 to principalities G746 and G2532 powers, G1849 to obey magistrates G3980, to be G1511 ready G2092 to G4314 every G3956 good G18 work, G2041.

Would that not be against God’s will. For us to obey “demonic or devilish activity”. 

Let take another look at this verse also;

So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery UNDER THE elemental spiritual forces of the world. (Galatians 4:3)

We quote this verse leaving the rest. What forces where the Jewish nation under? It was the law.

Let see the next verse. 

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born UNDER THE LAW, to redeem those UNDER THE LAW, that we might receive adoption to sonship. (Galatians 4:4-5)

They were in slavery to the law/The old covenant. That is what Paul calls it “spiritual forces”. And Jesus came to redeem those under the spiritual forces/the law.

Truly, this has got nothing to do with some so called spiritual attacks or activities we need to battle in prayers. It is totally needless to pray such prayers against what is actually not in existence.

We are no longer under such “powers and principalities”. We are no longer under the law and as such not even under principalities and powers. We are under his Grace and Mercies.

These “powers and principalities” was completely taken away when the temple fell in A.D. 7O. All traits of the law was destroyed.

It is my desire for you to rest and be free from the “mindset” of unnecessary battles in prayer. Free your mind with truth. Be at peace my brothers.
Jesus reigns!