Wrestling the Wrong Enemy

"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 in high places." — Ephesians 6:12

When we look at the issues of our society—drug abuse, crime, poverty—it’s easy to focus on the visible manifestations of these problems. We see the addict struggling on the street, the headlines about violent crime, or the rising incarceration rates. In response, many call for harsher penalties or stricter laws, believing that this will solve the problem. But are we wrestling with the wrong enemy?

Symptoms vs. Root Causes

Drug use and crime are often symptoms, not the sickness itself. They arise from deeper issues: generational poverty, trauma, mental illness, systemic inequality, and broken communities. Yet, our solutions tend to focus on punishing the behaviors rather than addressing their causes.

We live in a culture that prioritizes quick fixes—band-aid solutions that make us feel like we’re solving a problem while leaving its roots intact. Tougher sentencing laws, mandatory minimums, and vilifying drug addicts may give the appearance of action, but they often deepen the cycle of despair rather than breaking it.

This is where the wisdom of Ephesians 6:12 comes into focus. Our battle is not against individuals—the addict, the criminal, or even ourselves—but against systems and spiritual forces that perpetuate oppression, injustice, and division.

The Second Wrong

When we criminalize addiction or over-police poverty-stricken communities, we often commit a "second wrong," compounding the harm instead of addressing the root cause. For instance:

• Addiction: Instead of offering comprehensive treatment programs and support, we often throw people into jails ill-equipped to rehabilitate them.

• Crime: Instead of addressing economic inequality or providing educational opportunities, we invest in more prisons and militarized policing.

The second wrong doesn’t make things right—it makes the problem worse.

Who Benefits from the Way Things Are?

The current system benefits those who profit from the status quo:

• Private prisons thrive on high incarceration rates.

• Politicians gain power by appealing to fear rather than offering real solutions.

• Economic elites maintain control by ignoring the systemic issues that keep people in cycles of poverty and desperation.

But for the average person—the addict, the community impacted by crime, or even those unaffected directly—this system serves no one in the long run.

How Things Should Be

Imagine a society where we wrestle with the real enemies: poverty, trauma, inequality, and broken systems. A world where:

• Addiction is treated with compassion through accessible mental health services and rehabilitation programs.

• Communities are empowered with education, economic opportunities, and resources to break cycles of crime and poverty.

• Justice focuses on restoration rather than retribution.

This isn’t just an idealistic vision—it’s a framework rooted in love and wisdom. Addressing the root causes benefits everyone. Safer neighborhoods, healthier communities, and a more just society create a foundation where all can thrive.

Wrestling the Right Way

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our fight isn’t against each other. It’s against forces—spiritual and systemic—that profit from keeping us divided, hurting, and oppressed. When we shift our focus to root causes, we begin to dismantle these strongholds.

True transformation starts with seeing the person, not the symptom. It’s about addressing addiction with healing, responding to crime with opportunity, and battling darkness with light. Only then can we truly make the wrongs right.

So, where are we focusing our fight? Are we battling the symptoms or the sickness? Are we wrestling against flesh and blood, or are we willing to take on the deeper powers at work? The answers to these questions could redefine not just our systems but our very souls.