Out of the entire Bible, I struggle with this verse more than any other.
Ephesians 6:12 says:
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
I know Paul was trying to tell the church of Ephesus that they are in a spiritual war and they needed to be spiritually strong. This is also applicable to today. Paul was trying to say that the greatest enemy is not each other but Satan.
If we can focus our energy on fighting the spiritual enemy versus each other, then maybe we can introduce more people to Christ. At least this is what I think, it is not what I practice.
The reason I have a hard time with this verse is that people were given free-will and they are choosing to ignore what God has instructed them to do and instead have chosen to listen to Satan, or the world, or their own flesh. It does not matter if Satan is the great deceiver or not, or the world has lied to them, or even their own flesh has led them astray, we have a book that was given to us instructing us on how to live.
I too do not follow the Bible in it’s entirety. I know I should and my life would be better if I did, but I have convinced myself that people are too blame. Which is not a lie, but even Christ told us to love our neighbor as our self, to love our enemies, and to pray for those that persecute you.