It is the evil (one) that both George Bush and Osama Bin Laden serve that is the enemy, not the two men, and it is overcoming this power (and freeing ourselves from its control) and not the victory of one or the other of them, that is our gospel.  As I have said before, it is a sobering experience to put a speech describing "the enemy" by one of them next to a speech accomplishing the same purpose by the other.  Mirrors, projections, illusions.

Ephesians 6:10 is instructive in this regard, in pointing out the difference between the power and those under it.  I have been studying and parsing that section of scripture for a couple of days and below is the result.  I do not read Greek and so rely on the lexical aids section of my Key Word Study Bible, King James Version.  I would, therefore, appreciate any comments from those who may have more light to shed on these verses.  Thank you.

 

Ephesians 6

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power ("kratos"--ability to hold things together) of his might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles ("methodeia"--systematic, methodical efforts) of the devil ("diabolos"--one who falsely accuses and divides people without reason, slanderer).

12 For we wrestle not with flesh and blood (when used together "sarx" and "haima" can mean mankind as opposed to literal flesh and literal blood) but against the principalities ("arche"--rulers of this [carnal?] world), against powers ("exousia"--authority granted by principalities--"arche"--dominion, government, in Pauline writing often evil powers that oppose Christ), against the rulers ("kosmokrator"--a ruler of this [carnal?] world, spoken of evil spirits), of the darkness ("skotos"--sin and misery, person in such states, infernal spirits as opposite to Christ) of this world ("aion"--with its carnal cares, temptations and desires) against spiritual wickedness ("poneria"--characteristic of one not only evil but expressing evil in such a way as to impact others) in high places.

13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day (that day--or every day--of facing one animated by "poneria," one not only evil but expressing evil in such a way as to impact others), and having done all, to stand. 

14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth ("alethela"--the unveiled reality lying at the basis of and agreeing with appearance), and having the breastplate of righteousness ("dikaiosune"--conformity to all God's commands);

15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel ("euggellon"--the good news) of peace ("eirene"--that state of mind brought about by the grace and loving mind of God wherein the derangement and distress of life caused by sin are removed);

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith ("psistos"--knowledge of, assent to and confidence in certain divine truths, especially those of the gospel, as produces good works), wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (those animated by "poneria," one not only evil but expressing evil in such a way as to impact others, or in the service of one so animated; sometimes translated as "the devil" or those under the power of the devil).

17 And take the helmet of salvation ("soteria"--deliverance) and the word of the Spirit ("pneuma"--here best meaning seems to be the ability to think of God, to connect with God, our vertical window of consciousness) which is the word of God.

18.  Praying always ("kairos"--whether convenient or not) with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

7:02:40 AM